The Nursery School Curriculum

In Saint Joseph’s we appreciate a child’s parents/ guardians are his/her very first teachers. Each child coming to the nursery has already had a wide variety of experiences which lay the foundation on which the Nursery will build. Staff aim to provide a rich variety of play activities and other experiences, which motivate and challenge children, in an environment which is both supportive and child led.

We aim to create a happy, caring and stimulating environment where pupils learn through a structured play programme. This allows them to be enthusiastic learners and provides a way for children to reach their full potential in every aspect of their growth and development. In Saint Joseph’s we cherish Christian values and encourage respect and tolerance of others.           

                                                                                   “Play is our favourite way of learning.”
                                                                                                                                     Dianne Ackermann

Staff regularly observe, monitor, evaluate and record play experiences to ensure we provide a breadth of learning opportunities which allow children to learn at their own pace. The rich, stimulating programme offered reflects children’s interests and abilities and allows for challenge and progression. Play experiences that are relevant and meaningful to children are more likely to motivate their play and learning.

Our Nursery curriculum and planning is based on the 'Curricular Guidance for Pre-school Education' document. It is divided up into six curricular areas that provide a foundation for individual learning. https://www.etini.gov.uk/sites/etini.gov.uk/files/publications/preschool-inspection-st-josephs-nursery-school-antrim.pdf

1. Personal Social and Emotional Development:
Children are individuals and develop at different rates. Through personal, social and emotional development children learn how to build relationships, be independent and have raised self-esteem so they can have a positive image of themselves. They gain an understanding of their own and other’s feelings, building self-control and being able to co-operate and be respectful of others.

2. Language Development:
Children’s language and communication experiences will help children to interact more effectively by having a better understanding and ability to talk and listen; Children will learn to follow instructions and answer questions and develop thinking skills. They will understand that pictures, symbols, and words have meaning helping them to become readers and writers.

3. Early Mathematical Experiences:
Children will begin to understand and use mathematical language by experimenting with a wide range of materials and resources. Indoor and outdoor experiences will help children to gain an awareness of early number, shape, space, size and quantity, pattern and time. Children will be given lots of opportunities to revisit activities so they can consolidate their understanding of concepts and as a way to use mathematical language as a natural
part of conversation.

4. The World around Us:
Children will make sense of the world around them by gaining knowledge as a result of their natural curiosity, experiences and ability to ask questions. Children will begin to develop a range of skills and concepts like the push and pull of magnets, how tools work, the computer, tape recorder, camera, light and shadow, forces and energy. They will develop knowledge about festivals, events, celebrations and local community. Children will enjoy playing and learning in the outdoors experiencing the seasons, living things and re-cycling.

5. The Arts:
Children will have the opportunity to explore and experiment in sensory and play based activities. This will encourage children to be creative so they can express their ideas, thoughts and feelings through art, music, dance and role-play.

6. Physical Development and Movement:
Children will enjoy physical play indoors and out. They can revel in the freedom of the outdoors developing gross motor skills, running, climbing, skipping whilst gaining an awareness of size, space and direction. Fine motor skills will be developed through threading, screwing, pinching. Children will gain confidence, self-esteem and an understanding of safe play.

Saint Joseph’s Nursery has an extensive range of resources including staff which allows all children to be supported as they experience many opportunities and situations in school so they can reach their full potential. In addition, the nursery curriculum is extended through additional programs provided by regular visitors and agencies to the school. They help to extent and enrich the children’s learning further.

Assessment and Record Keeping
During the school year staff will observe, monitor, evaluate and record each child’s progress. This enables staff to plan future activities/programs that will target and match the needs of each individual child.

Parents are encouraged to discuss their child’s progress on a regular basis. A profile is prepared throughout the year on each child. Parents will have an opportunity to look through this and discuss it during parent/teacher meetings. Parents will also receive pupil progress reports including a transition report at the end of the school year.