GO TO - Birth to Three Matters
GO TO - Foundation Phase
GO TO - The Desirable Outcomes

Birth to Three Matters

All children within Little Angels receive the highest quality of care and education. The environment is carefully prepared and organised to involve your child in a balance between learning through play and structured activities, taking into account the age and level of progression of each child. The Nursery is divided into three age groups and works within the framework of 'Birth to Three Matters', 'The Foundation Phase' and 'The Desirable Outcomes'.

At Little Angels Nursery, we have a sound knowledge and understanding of the Birth to Three Matters Framework, with highly qualified staff integrating its structure throughout the Nursery day.
The framework takes the child as its focus and identifies four main aspects, which celebrate the skill and competence of babies and young children and highlights the interrelationship between growth, learning, development and the environment in which they are cared for and educated within.

These four aspects are:

  • A Strong Child
  • A Skilful Communicator
  • A Competent Learner
  • A Healthy Child

Each aspect is sub-divided into four Components, as illustrated in the table below;

Aspects
Components

A Strong Child

Me, Myself
and I

Being Acknowledged and Affirmed

Developing Self-assurance

A Sense of Belonging

A Skilful Communicator

Being Together

Finding a Voice

Listening and Responding

Making Meaning

A Competent Learner

Making Connections

Being Imaginative

Being Creative

Representing

A Healthy Child

Emotional Well-being

Growing and Developing

Keeping Safe

Healthy Choices

Through detailed planning by all staff at Little Angels we implement activities and experiences which are accessible to all children, regardless of their capabilities, needs and requirements.

The four broad areas of development are:

Heads Up, Lookers and Communicators
(0-8 months)

During the first eight months, young babies react to people and situations with their whole bodies. They are also competent in observing and responding to their immediate environment and communicating with those around them.

Sitters, Standers and Explorers
(8-18 months)

During the period from eight to eighteen months babies' exploration of the environment becomes more intentional. Increasing mobility and language developement enable them to find out and understand more about their world.

Movers, Shakers and Players
(18-24 months)

From eighteen to twenty four months, young children begin to show increasing independence and obvios pleasure in moving, communicating and learning through play.

Walkers, Takers and Pretenders
(24-36 months)

From twenty four to thirty six months, children's competence at moving, talking and pretending is more and more evident and they show increasing confidence in
themselves and skills in making relationships.


Foundation Phase

At Little Angels Nursery, we have a sound knowledge and understanding of the Foundation Phase with highly qualified staff structuring the educational programme for the children.

This phase involves a broad and balanced curriculum based upon areas of learning as a pose to separate subjects.  Children learn through practical activities that naturally challenge and motivate.  This phase helps the children learn ‘how to learn’ and comprises of the following seven areas of learning;

  • Personal and Social Development and Well-being
  • Creative Development
  • Mathematical Development
  • Language, Literacy and Communication Skills
  • Physical Development
  • Bilingual and Multi-cultural Understanding
  • Knowledge and Understanding of the World

The early learning goals provide a basis for planning throughout the Foundation Phase, thus forming sound foundations for future learning.  The goals are structured around the ‘stepping stones’ which identify knowledge, skills and attitudes which children need if they are to achieve the early learning goals by the end of the Foundation Phase.

The Desirable Outcomes

These outcomes work very similarly to the previous phase and contribute to the all-round growth and development of every child. They are based upon both structured and spontaneous play and involve inspiring and challenging the child's talent to learn. They comprise of six areas of learning;

  • Language
  • Literacy and Communication Skills
  • Personal and Social Development
  • Mathematical Development
  • Knowledge and Understanding of the World
  • Physical Development and Creative Development.