Our Curriculum
"Children develop quickly in the early years and a child’s experiences between birth and age five have a major impact on their future life chances. A secure, safe and happy childhood is important in its own right. Good parenting and high quality early learning together provide the foundation children need to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow up"
- Statutory Framework for the early years foundation stage
Birth to Five Matters
In September 2021 the statutory framework for the early years foundation stage was updated. The framework does not prescribe a particular teaching approach and therefore, gives nurseries freedom to deliver a curriculum they feel is best for their children.
At Muddy Boots we opted to use the Birth to Five Matters to guide us in our teaching. Below are some of the reasons for our decision....
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The Birth to Five Matters has restored personal, social and emotional development to its position as the first area of learning.
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Ages and stages has been removed, this removes the thinking that children have to be achieving things at a certain age and instead recognises that development is completely individual.
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The document emphases the importance of co-constructing the curriculum with the children, practitioners and families.
Click here to see the Birth to Five Matters
To find out more information about how you can support your little one through this curriculum please click here.
Birth to Five at Muddy Boots
Although we have opted to use the Birth to Five Matters, this is by no means the entire curriculum that we deliver. During a child's early years they learn so much, way more than is in one document. For that reason, we have developed a way of designing a curriculum individual to each and every child. We find the gaps in their knowledge and we teach in a scaffolding way in order to close that gap. Each child requires different scaffolding building blocks so the curriculum looks different for every child. It is however all underpinned by our ethos of outdoor learning and personal, social and emotional development.
The way we deliver our curriculum would not be possible without a close partnership with our families. We approach the learning in a co-partnership way and this begins at the very beginning of the child's journey at Muddy Boots with a home visit.
Muddy Boots Curriculum goals
Your child will learn many skills whilst at Muddy Boots. However, we have developed 10 specific curriculum goals that we will work towards with them to give them a strong foundation for future learning.
1. To have self believe and confidence which has been built from strong foundations
2. To be able to communicate needs and wants and use talk in their play
3. To be able to follow a routine
4. Awareness of own emotions and how to interact with others around
5. Have the skills to independently dress/undress, brush teeth and find own belongings
6. Have the skills to independently access the toilet and be able to eat lunch unassisted
7. Have an awareness of the importance of healthy living
8. To have a love of books and be able to retell stories
9. To have a strong connection to the natural world
10. To understand what it means to be part of a community