1. Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Successful personal, social and emotional development is critical for very young children in all aspects of their lives and gives them the best opportunity for success in all other areas of learning. At Littlebrook Nursery we provide the experiences and support to enable children to develop a positive sense of themselves and others. Your child will be given opportunities to work, play and co-operate in groups. In turn they will develop relationships with other children and adults, enabling them to function independently and confidentiality in their "outside family unit". Your child’s personal, social, moral and spiritual development will be encouraged as well as personal values and an understanding of self and others. Examples of this could be reward systems we use at the Nursery celebrating achievements such as displays, photos of family members, helping hand tree and much more. Other examples could be circle time, when we encourage the children to share experiences, show and tell where children are invited to bring in items from home that are significant to their family and engaging in activities about festivals and other cultures.

2. Communication, Language and Literacy
Communication, language and literacy depend on learning and being competent in a number of key skills, together with having the confidence, opportunity, encouragement and support to use them. This area of learning includes communication, speaking and listening in different situations and for different purposes, being read a wide range of books and reading simple texts and writing for a variety of purposes. Your child will be given opportunities in all aspects of language, providing the foundation for literacy. Activities will encourage pencil control and early writing skills, as well as recognition of letters and sounds within the alphabet. Your child will be encouraged to develop and gain competence in talking and listening, role-play opportunities will also be provided.

3. Problem solving, Reasoning and Numeracy
Mathematics development depends on becoming confident and competent in learning and using key skills. This area of learning includes counting, sorting, matching, seeking patterns, making connections, recognising relationships and working with numbers, shapes, space and measures. Mathematical understanding should be developed through stories, songs, games and imaginative play, so the children enjoy using and experimenting with numbers, including numbers larger than ten. Your child will be given opportunities to understand and use mathematical language. A range of practical activities offer throughout the day will provide the foundation for numeracy. The activities will cover the following areas of learning; number: colour and shape recognition; counting; simple addition and subtraction; problem solving; matching; sorting; pattern; sequencing; and weight.

4. Knowledge and Understanding of the World
In this area of learning children are developing the crucial knowledge, skills and understanding that helps them to make sense of the world. This forms the foundation for later work in science, design and technology, history, geography and information and communication technology (ICT). Your child will be able to develop an understanding of their environment, other people and features of the natural and man made world. Many activities, which cover historical, geographical, scientific and technological learning, will be provided. Children at Littlebrook are given the opportunity to learn about communities, including their own and other people’s cultures through exploring the environment, celebrating festivals and accessing a wide range of resources.

5. Physical Development
Physical development in the foundation stage is about improving skills of coordination, manipulation and movement. Physical development has two other very important aspects; it helps children to gain confidence in what they can do and enables them to feel the positive benefits of being healthy and active. Effective physical development helps children develop a positive sense of well being. A range of opportunities to develop physical control, mobility, space, awareness and manipulative skills, both indoors and outdoors is offered. The nursery has a large secure and enclosed garden which the children can access throughout the day. We believe that outdoor play is vitally important to the children’s well being and health and therefore ensure the children access the garden during all weather conditions. We will ask that parents provide appropriate weather clothing to enable their child to access the garden through all seasonal changes.  Large apparatus and small equipment is available both in and outdoors, to enhance your child's physical development.

6. Creative Development
Creativity is fundamental to successful learning. Being creative enables children to make connections between one area of learning and another in order to extend their understanding. This area of learning includes art, music, dance, role-play and imagination play. Many opportunities will be available for your child to use their imagination and abilities to communicate and express ideas and feelings, using a wide range of materials and tools. This will be achieved through art and craft, messy play activities, music, and playing of instruments, dance stories and imaginary play.
Every six weeks the nursery will follow a topic theme or themes, which will broaden and enhance your child's learning, providing a focus for activities within the development areas each day.
Children's development and progress is assessed regularly. Adult led activities provide many opportunities for monitoring and recording your child's progress.

Free Flow and Continuous Provision:
We have a very spacious and large outdoor area leading from the doors of most of our rooms. This enables the children to have continual access to the indoor and outdoor environment throughout the day. We recognise that being outdoors has a positive impact on children’s sense of well-being and supports all aspects of their development as well as the indoor environment. Our continuous provision offers accessible and rich learning opportunities that facilitates play.

Key Person:
At Littlebrook we recognise each child’s individuality, achievements and unique needs. We believe that the relationship between a Key Person and a child are fundamental to the child’s happiness, security and overall progress.
When your child starts at Littlebrook, you will be appointed a main Key Person who will be responsible for meeting the daily needs and individual routine of your child. During the settling in period prior to your start date you will be asked to share information about your child’s interests, likes and dislikes, daily routine and important people in your child’s life. This will enable us to gain insightful knowledge of your child prior to their start date and help the Key Person to really get to know you child and understand their needs.
Your child will also have a second Key Person who will continue to care for your child in the absence of your child’s main carer. This will ensure that there is a familiar and trusted person who knows your child and will offer them reassurance and continuity of care.

Starting at Littlebrook:
When you register your child it is imperative that we share as much information with you as the child’s parents and main carers. Whilst we do not want to inundate you with forms and paper work, we need to ensure that all matters relating to your child are communicated effectively. In advance of your child starting at Littlebrook we would need information such as

• Emergency contacts
• Your child’s medical history and health requirements
• Persons authorised to collect your child from Nursery and passwords. You may also be asked to provide photographs that will be kept on your child’s file for security
• Consent forms for photographs, sun cream application, medicine approval and messy play
• Consent for emergency medical treatment

In addition to the above information you will also be given a book called ‘My child’s Story’ . This book will invite you to share information about your child and your home life with the staff who will be responsible for your child at Littlebrook. You are welcome to complete the book alongside your child’s Key Person, or you can take it home and complete it alongside significant family members. We believe this is the first important step in building the relationships between the parents, main carers and staff at Littlebrook.
Our priority during this sensitive period of time is to ensure that you and your child feel comfortable in a home from home environment. By sharing ‘My Child’s Story’ with your Key Person, it will ensure continuity of care and that we meet your child’s individual needs. During the settling period your Key Person will help your child to become familiar with the Nursery and to feel safe and confident within it. 
The same principles apply during your child’s transitional periods. Your Key Person will liaise with you when she believes your child may be ready to move to the next room. An admissions record will be completed regarding your child’s routine needs and shared with the next Key Person. We would always welcome your input when completing the form. We firmly believe that your child should move to the next room when they are ready for the transition and the next step.

Observation, Assessment and Planning:
At Littlebrook we believe that all children are individual and have a unique profile of abilities. We value and nurture the children in order to understand their interests, development and learning. We offer a ‘play-based’ curriculum which underpins all the areas of learning of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Our safe, secure and exciting indoor and outdoor environment is designed to stimulate your child’s natural curiosity, exploration, play and imagination.
Our planning starts with the child. We look, listen and note to understand their interests, needs and achievements. We also listen to you as the parent to share and collaborate ideas for your child’s short and medium term planning. Through your feedback about family members, significant events, celebrations and festivals, we can plan activities that would capture your child’s interests and present learning needs. Examples of this are sampling food from festivals, dressing up, musical activities and sharing books that provide information about other cultures.

When your child starts at Littlebrook we will create a ‘Learning Journal’ which will include all observations, assessments and planning for your child. Your child’s Learning Journal will stay with them throughout all room transitions until they are ready for school. The Journal will be divided in to the following sections:

• ‘My Child’s Story’ This is an overview of your child, giving us your comments and information regarding your child, the home environment and family. This will also include a permission form.
• Observation notes (these can be significant moments that have either been observed at Nursery or in the home environment), photos and examples of work that highlight what your child enjoys learning and demonstrates their progress.
• Individual planning and adult initiated sheets. Staff will use their knowledge of your child and their observation notes to inform individual planning. Staff will carefully plan for future experiences and opportunities for your child. We will always welcome parent contributions to the planning, such as comments jottings and ideas for activities.
• Assessment reports. Three times a year your child’s Key Person will review all of the learning records and Journal to complete a formal assessment report. The assessment will include an update of progress, planned next steps in the provision and parent feedback. Staff will then share the assessment report with you during a scheduled parents evening or at another time of your convenience.  Our assessment process links to the EYFS and is designed to identify ways in which we can support your child throughout the Foundation Stage.
• Letters and liaisons with other settings and school. If your child attends another setting or pre-school we may contact them, with your permission, to share good practice and knowledge of the child.