“The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child’s own natural desire to learn.” — Maria Montessori
Our Curriculum
At Mucky Pups Preschool, we believe children learn best when they feel safe, valued, curious and inspired to explore the world around them.
Our curriculum is carefully designed to support every child’s individual development through meaningful play, hands-on experiences and nurturing relationships. Using the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, we create opportunities for children to grow in confidence, independence and readiness for school and beyond.
Learning Through Play
Young children learn naturally through play. Our curriculum encourages children to investigate, create, problem-solve and develop essential life skills through engaging experiences both indoors and outdoors.
We carefully plan activities that follow children’s interests while supporting their next steps in learning and development.
A Balanced Approach to Learning
At Mucky Pups Preschool, we provide a balance of adult-led experiences and child-initiated play.
Together times, small group activities and carefully planned experiences allow practitioners to introduce new ideas, language and skills in a supportive way.
Alongside this, children are given plenty of opportunities for child-led discovery, where they can follow their own interests, make choices, explore creatively and develop independence through play.
By combining guided learning with opportunities for exploration, we create a curriculum that is both nurturing and responsive to each child’s unique development.
The Prime Areas of Learning
The prime areas form the foundations for all future learning.
Communication and Language
We support children to become confident communicators through conversations, storytelling, songs, rhymes and group activities.
Physical develop
coordination, strength and independence through active play, outdoor exploration, fine motor activities and self-care routines.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
We help children build confidence, resilience and positive relationships through nurturing interactions and a supportive environment.
Values, Emotions and Self-Regulation
At Mucky Pups Preschool, we believe children learn best when they feel emotionally secure, respected and understood.
Alongside our curriculum, we place great importance on helping children develop kindness, empathy, confidence and respect for others through our Golden Rules and everyday interactions.
Children are supported to recognise and talk about their feelings, understand emotions and begin developing strategies to manage challenges and regulate their behaviour in positive ways.
Through nurturing relationships, consistent routines and gentle guidance, we help children build the emotional foundations that support learning, friendships and wellbeing both now and in the future.
The Specific Areas of Learning
As children grow in confidence, we also support learning in:
Literacy
Mathematics
Understanding the World
Expressive Arts and Design
Through carefully planned adult introduced Together Times and play-based experiences, children begin developing early reading, writing, number, creativity and exploration skills in meaningful and enjoyable ways.
Supporting Every Child
Every child develops at their own pace, and we recognise that all children are unique.
Our practitioners observe children closely to understand their interests, strengths and next steps. Activities are adapted to ensure every child feels included, supported and challenged appropriately.
Outdoor Learning
Outdoor play is an important part of our curriculum. We believe children benefit enormously from fresh air, movement, exploration and connection with nature.
Whether climbing, digging, balancing, building or investigating the natural world, children develop confidence, curiosity and physical skills through outdoor experiences.
Inspired by Eco Schools values, we also encourage children to care for the environment through activities such as gardening, recycling and exploring the world around them with curiosity and respect.
Preparing for School
Our curriculum supports children in becoming confident, capable learners ready for their next stage of education.
We focus on developing:
independence
communication
emotional wellbeing
early literacy and maths skills
problem-solving
social confidence
Most importantly, we want children to leave us with a love of learning and happy memories of their early years.
At Mucky Pups Preschool, we believe children learn best when they feel safe, valued, curious and inspired to explore the world around them.
Our curriculum is carefully designed to support every child’s individual development through meaningful play, hands-on experiences and nurturing relationships. Using the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, we create opportunities for children to grow in confidence, independence and readiness for school and beyond.
Learning Through Play
Young children learn naturally through play. Our curriculum encourages children to investigate, create, problem-solve and develop essential life skills through engaging experiences both indoors and outdoors.
We carefully plan activities that follow children’s interests while supporting their next steps in learning and development.
A Balanced Approach to Learning
At Mucky Pups Preschool, we provide a balance of adult-led experiences and child-initiated play.
Together times, small group activities and carefully planned experiences allow practitioners to introduce new ideas, language and skills in a supportive way.
Alongside this, children are given plenty of opportunities for child-led discovery, where they can follow their own interests, make choices, explore creatively and develop independence through play.
By combining guided learning with opportunities for exploration, we create a curriculum that is both nurturing and responsive to each child’s unique development.
The Prime Areas of Learning
The prime areas form the foundations for all future learning.
Communication and Language
We support children to become confident communicators through conversations, storytelling, songs, rhymes and group activities.
Physical develop
coordination, strength and independence through active play, outdoor exploration, fine motor activities and self-care routines.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
We help children build confidence, resilience and positive relationships through nurturing interactions and a supportive environment.
Values, Emotions and Self-Regulation
At Mucky Pups Preschool, we believe children learn best when they feel emotionally secure, respected and understood.
Alongside our curriculum, we place great importance on helping children develop kindness, empathy, confidence and respect for others through our Golden Rules and everyday interactions.
Children are supported to recognise and talk about their feelings, understand emotions and begin developing strategies to manage challenges and regulate their behaviour in positive ways.
Through nurturing relationships, consistent routines and gentle guidance, we help children build the emotional foundations that support learning, friendships and wellbeing both now and in the future.
The Specific Areas of Learning
As children grow in confidence, we also support learning in:
Literacy
Mathematics
Understanding the World
Expressive Arts and Design
Through carefully planned adult introduced Together Times and play-based experiences, children begin developing early reading, writing, number, creativity and exploration skills in meaningful and enjoyable ways.
Supporting Every Child
Every child develops at their own pace, and we recognise that all children are unique.
Our practitioners observe children closely to understand their interests, strengths and next steps. Activities are adapted to ensure every child feels included, supported and challenged appropriately.
Outdoor Learning
Outdoor play is an important part of our curriculum. We believe children benefit enormously from fresh air, movement, exploration and connection with nature.
Whether climbing, digging, balancing, building or investigating the natural world, children develop confidence, curiosity and physical skills through outdoor experiences.
Inspired by Eco Schools values, we also encourage children to care for the environment through activities such as gardening, recycling and exploring the world around them with curiosity and respect.
Preparing for School
Our curriculum supports children in becoming confident, capable learners ready for their next stage of education.
We focus on developing:
independence
communication
emotional wellbeing
early literacy and maths skills
problem-solving
social confidence
Most importantly, we want children to leave us with a love of learning and happy memories of their early years.
Our Long-Term Curriculum Plan
Our long-term curriculum plan outlines the experiences, themes and learning opportunities we provide throughout the year to support children’s development across all areas of the EYFS.
While we carefully plan enriching experiences and opportunities, we also remain flexible and responsive to children’s interests, recognising that meaningful learning often begins with curiosity, exploration and play.
While we carefully plan enriching experiences and opportunities, we also remain flexible and responsive to children’s interests, recognising that meaningful learning often begins with curiosity, exploration and play.
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