Curriculum planning
Find out more about how curriculum planning helps give the children a better experience, covering all early years foundation stage (EYFS) areas of learning.
What is a curriculum?
A curriculum is what children learn in the time that they are in a setting. It must be based on the statutory early years foundation stage (EYFS), which gives a framework that can be built upon through the seven areas of learning.
A curriculum sets out what a setting wants all children to learn and be able to do. Then you can plan and deliver activities, teaching and different ways to help secure children’s learning.
A curriculum should be ambitious for all children and you should take into account what children already know and can do, building on their strengths and meeting their development needs.
Planning your curriculum
You should always start with the early years foundation stage (EYFS) framework. It contains educational programmes that sit under 7 areas of learning. These are high-level curriculum summaries that you must follow and work into a rich curriculum that meets the needs of the children.
From there, break down those high-level curriculum summaries into smaller steps. Decide what you want children to learn, the activities you want to do with them and how your setting can support their learning.
Childminders or nursery leaders (working with their staff) should decide how to implement these activities and experiences, so the children can progress in all the areas of learning. You should evaluate how well the curriculum works, checking what children know and can do as they move through the EYFS.
You should consider using ‘Development Matters’ the non-statutory curriculum guidance for the early years foundation stage to support you in planning your curriculum.
Your curriculum should be unique to your setting. Watch your children, studying how they lead their own play. Talk to parents and carers to find out their interests. Listening to what children say also provides clues about their curiosities and interests.
Use this knowledge to decide how best to engage children in the curriculum, choosing the right activity or environment. It should not be overly complicated and should meet the needs of the majority of children. Some children, such as those with SEND, may need additional support.
It’s important not to use the early learning goals (ELGs) from the EYFS as the basis for your curriculum. They should only be used as an assessment during the summer term of the reception year.
Summary
- Consider what you want children to learn then plan the activity.
- Base your curriculum on your children, covering the 7 areas of learning in the EYFS, using the statutory educational programmes (high-level curriculum summaries) as a starting point.
- The new EYFS framework is more specific, and better suited to be used as a basis for curriculum planning.
- Consider using Development Matters to help you plan your curriculum.
- Do not use the ELGs as a curriculum starting point. They should only be used as an assessment during the summer term at the end of the reception year.
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