Specific Areas of Learning
Providers must also support children in four specific areas, which help strengthen and develop the three prime areas, and ignite children’s curiosity and enthusiasm.
Literacy
As early years practitioners, we are passionate about nurturing a love of reading and writing from an early age. Through stories, songs, rhymes and meaningful conversations, children develop strong language skills and a love of books. We support children to become confident readers and writers by providing engaging experiences that build communication, literacy and self-expression.
Quality Team Support- Literacy
- Engaging boys with reading
- Immersive Reading Provision ideas
- Supporting Children’s learning through storytelling
Mathematics
Mathematics supports children to develop confidence and understanding of numbers, patterns and relationships. We support and encourage children through practical, hands-on experiences, so they can build secure foundations in counting, number sense, spatial reasoning and problem-solving. Making early maths playful helps children to develop enthusiasm and confidence for mathematics.
- DfE Help for Early Years Providers - Mathematics
- Education Endowment Foundation - Early Mathematics Evidence Store - containing examples and videos of evidence-based early mathematics approaches
Understanding the world
Understanding the World helps children make sense of their physical environment, communities and wider world. Through exploration, discussion, stories and first-hand experiences, children develop knowledge of people, places, cultures, technology and the natural world. Our city of Coventry has a breath of places and spaces which can be used to enhance our provision for understanding of the world. As practitioners, we can use our setting environment, outdoors, and our local communities to offer children a rich experience and a wealth of learning opportunities.
- DfE Help for Early Years Providers - Understanding the World
- Visit Coventry
- Community, Leisure and Culture in Coventry
- 50 Things to Do in Coventry
Expressive arts and design
Expressive Arts and Design nurtures children's creativity, imagination and self-expression. Through art, music, dance, storytelling and role play, children explore a range of materials and media while developing confidence in communicating their ideas and experiences. We can provide exciting and open-ended opportunities for our youngest children to help foster their love of art, and to develop a range of skills which can support them in all areas of learning. Children's artwork is a window into their thinking, revealing their creativity, understanding and unique perspective of the world.