The Playgroup Curriculum
The curriculum is the totality of all that is planned for children and young people through their education, wherever they are being educated.
The following two curriculum frameworks guide our Curriculum approach.
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Effective Early Learning and Development (Birth to 3 years)
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A Curriculum for Excellence (3 – 18 years)
Effective Early Learning and Development supports our youngest children. The document sets out four features for effective practice –
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Relationships, Emotional Well-Being and Social Competence
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Communication
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Curiosity
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Movement and Co-ordination
and suggest sensitive and respectful approaches to the care and education of our very youngest children. Effective Early Learning and Development can be view online at www.ltscotland.org.uk/earlyyears/about/birthtothree/guidance.asp
The Curriculum for Excellence framework document guides the Curriculum approach for children aged 3-18.
The Curriculum for Excellence’s underpinning values are wisdom, justice, compassion and integrity with the child at the centre of learning. Detailed information about the Curriculum for Excellence can be view online at www.curriculumforexcellencescotland.gov.uk.
The purpose of the curriculum at this early stage is to support children in all aspects of their emotional, social, cognitive and physical development. It should enable them to become increasingly independent, responsible and eager to progress in their learning. Staffs in preschool education achieve this through their skilled interaction with each child and by providing stimulating contexts for active learning, building upon the child’s knowledge and skills and recognising his or her stage of development. They can build upon children’s enthusiasm, inventiveness and creativity to plan learning activities which combine to achieve this purpose.
The Curriculum for Excellence has been developed to enable all children to become:
- Successful Learners Confident Individuals
- Responsible Citizens Effective Contributors
The curriculum is inclusive and a stimulus for personal achievement and by a broadening of experience of the world will be an encouragement towards informed and responsible citizenship.
Experiences and outcomes set out expectations for learning and development in:
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The experiences and outcomes in the range of curriculum areas build in relevant attributes and capabilities which support the development of the four capacities.
If you would like more information about these documents please talk to a member of the Playgroup staff.
When talking about the curriculum offered at Playgroup it is important to reiterate that we value all the knowledge that your children bring with them. Your children have already learned a great deal about the world around them before coming to the centre. We use this knowledge to build on your child’s learning. Staff will be glad to talk to you about what your child is learning in the centre, both informally and formally.
Of course play is ‘children’s work’ and it is through play that they learn to listen, observe, explore and experiment and make sense of the world around them. Therefore we aim to foster the children’s learning and development through play.
Observation, Assessment and Reporting
Children and parents are entitled to expect the highest quality in child care practice. Observing is an essential element in achieving quality child care practice because it helps us to ‘know’ the children in our care. It leads to an understanding of the children’s developmental needs and helps us to plan appropriately. At Playgroup the staff regularly discusses the children’s progress. We have weekly meetings and keep written records. It is normal practice for children attending ante-pre school and pre-school to receive a written report at the end of term. The report is written by the centre where the children receive their funded place or where they spend the majority of their time. Throughout your child’s time with us we will give you verbal feedback on his or her progress. During your child’s time at Playgroup we take a number of photographs which we use as evidence as to the children’s progression. These photographs are collated and form part of a portfolio, which the children receive when they leave Playgroup.
If you ever have any questions or queries about your child’s time at Playgroup please tell us. We are always very happy to chat formally or informally.
