Learning through Play
Play is an important part of a child’s early development. Through play, children develop language skills, their emotions and creativity and social and intellectual skills. Staff facilitate the children’s learning by providing a quality curriculum that meets the needs of the individual child.
What is Curriculum for Excellence?
The aim of Curriculum for Excellence is intended to help children and young people gain the knowledge, skills and attributes needed for life in the 21st century, including skills for learning, life and work. Its purpose is to enable children and young people to become:
- Successful learners
- Confident individuals
- Responsible citizens
- Effective contributors.
These are referred to as the four capacities. 
There are eight curriculum areas:
- Expressive arts
- Health and wellbeing
- Languages (including English, Gaidhlig, Gaelic learners and modern languages)
- Mathematics
- Religious and moral education
- Sciences
- Social studies
- Technologies.
Literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing are recognised as being particularly important – these areas are seen as being the ‘responsibility of all’ staff. The Curriculum is divided into different levels. We will be working on the Early Level which starts in nursery and continues into Primary One.
Through careful planning and observation, we will support your child’s learning and development. As parents, we will involve you in each stage of your child’s learning.
You can find out more information on Curriculum for Excellence by clicking this link :
Click Here For Curriculum for Excellence Information
At Larkfield Early Learning Centre, the staff use two documents, ‘Pre-Birth to Three’ and ‘Realising the Ambition’, to help us plan for our younger children’s learning. Staff carefully observe children during play and plan individually for children according to their stage of development.
The four key principles of the Pre-Birth to 3 are:
- . Rights of the Child
- . Relationships
- . Responsive Care
- .Respect
Nine features have been identified to put the key principles into practice.
These are: 
- Role of the adult
- Attachment
- Transitions
- Observation, assessment
- Planning
- Partnership working
- Health and wellbeing
- Literacy and numeracy
- Play environment
You can find out more information on Pre birth to three by clicking this link :
Click Here For Pre Birth to Three Information
Realising the Ambition
Wellbeing
I can attempt to wash and dry my hands.
Promoting curiosity, creativity and inquiry
I can use fingers to explore a range of materials.
Communication
I enjoy listening to a simple story.
You can find out more information on Realising the Ambition by clicking
this link :
Click Here For Realising the Ambition I
Planning
Our planning builds on the experiences the children bring to nursery. We aim to provide activities which will extend and expand children’s knowledge and skills. Our planning is flexible in order to address individual needs and interests. Children are consulted in their learning, sharing ideas and knowledge. Our learning walls display examples of children’s learning and are updated regularly as we work our way through each block.
Assessment
‘Assessment should be an integral part of the daily routine in the early years setting. It occurs as adults listen, watch and interact with a child or group of children’.
‘The purpose of assessment is to provide useful information about children’s learning and development. This is gathered from staff, parents, multi-agency professionals and the child, and which will be helpful in forming future planning.’ Assessment is for learning (2005).
Staff gathers information about the children from parent’s, by spending time with them, listening, observing and interacting with them. This information is recorded in different ways and is used to build up a record of your child’s progress and achievements which is transferred into each child’s individual profile. We also use this information to plan how to take their learning forward. Profiles can be accessed outside the playroom and are labelled with your child’s name and photograph. Please feel free to look at your child’s profile at any time and speak to staff if you have any questions.
Other Useful Links –
