Curriculum

Curriculum

The Marmalade Schools offer a balanced and broadly based curriculum based around the Early years Foundation Stage (EYFS) the statutory framework that sets the standards for Learning, Development and Care for children aged 0 to 5 years old.  At the core of our educational policy there are seven areas of learning and development that shape our curriculum.  All areas of learning are important and inter-connected.  

The three Prime areas are: Communication and Language, Physical Development and Personal Social and Emotional Development.  The four Specific areas through which the three Prime areas are strengthened and applied are Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World and Expressive Art and Design. These 7 areas are used to plan your child’s learning and activities. Your child’s teacher will make sure that the activities are tailored to your child’s unique needs. Unlike the Primary and Secondary Schools curriculum, the EYFS is suitable for very young children and is designed to be flexible.  This allows our teachers to closely follow the individual needs and interests of each child.

To deliver this curriculum we aim to use the best of both traditional and other methods including Montessori and Reggio Emilia to name a few.  Within this the children will have many chances to experience structured play and free play which are both a very important part of their early learning experiences.  Whilst planning activities the staff are focused on the 3 Is, Intent, Implementation and Impact ensuring that all the children’s learning needs are considered and then reflected upon.  

In addition, through are varied Specialist Subjects such as French, Spanish, Structured Sport and Team building exercises, Ballet with the Chelsea Ballet School, Music with Pippa Poppets, all taught by external teachers, and also through drama, cooking, STEM and art, we seek to develop the children further. The EYFS promotes teaching and learning to ensure children’s ‘school readiness’ and allows for a wonderfully broad range of knowledge and skills that support positive progress through school and life.

Our focus is to ensure that each child’s early years’ experience is happy, active, engaging, fun and secure.  We support at all times their development, care and learning needs.  Our online learning platform, Tapestry is an interactive tool for parents and encourages them to be closely involved in their child’s development throughout their two years at Marmalade Schools.  Each Friday your child’s group teacher will write a reflective weekly observation.
 
Children at Marmalade Schools learn by playing and exploring, being active, and are encouraged to be creative and think critically whilst indoors and outside.

What to expect in the Early Years? Click here to view the EYFS Guide for Parents provided by the Department for Education.

EYFS Guide for Parents