At Brettenham, we offer high-quality early education to Reception-age children. We are committed to giving children the best possible start to their education.

The Early Years are a vital and exciting time in your child’s life, supporting the development of confidence, curiosity, imagination and a love of learning. At Brettenham, we encourage children to explore, take appropriate risks and develop resilience. We nurture independence and self-belief, supporting every child to aspire to be the very best they can be.

Early Years Curriculum

At Brettenham, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the statutory framework that sets the standards all Early Years providers must meet to ensure children learn and develop well and stay healthy and safe.

Children learn through a carefully balanced curriculum that combines fun, structured learning experiences with opportunities to follow their own interests through play. Learning takes place in a well-resourced, stimulating and engaging environment, both indoors and outdoors.

The EYFS curriculum is divided into seven areas of learning, grouped into prime and specific areas.

The prime areas are:

• Communication and Language
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
• Physical Development

The specific areas are:

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the World
• Expressive Arts and Design

Our curriculum supports children to develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and understanding they need across all areas of learning, helping them become confident, independent, and motivated learners. 

Characteristics of Effective Learning

Central to our curriculum are the Characteristics of Effective Learning, which focus on how children learn and their attitudes towards learning. These are:

• Playing and Exploring – children investigate, experience new things and ‘have a go’
• Active Learning – children concentrate, persevere and keep trying, even when they encounter difficulties
• Creating and Thinking Critically – children develop their own ideas, make connections and find ways to solve problems

As part of our Early Years practice, we:

• Provide a broad and balanced curriculum in line with the EYFS, using play as the vehicle for learning
• Promote equality of opportunity and inclusive, anti-discriminatory practice
• Offer early intervention and targeted support for children who may need additional help
• Work in close partnership with parents and carers
• Plan challenging and meaningful learning experiences based on individual needs, informed by observation, assessment and children’s interests
• Provide opportunities for adult-initiated, child-initiated and adult-supported learning
• Ensure a safe, secure and nurturing learning environment, both indoors and outdoors

The Learning Environment and Outdoor Provision

At Brettenham, the Early Years classrooms are well-resourced, engaging, and designed to inspire curiosity and exploration. The learning environment encourages children to be imaginative, inquisitive, and independent, providing opportunities for discovery across all areas of the curriculum.

We are fortunate to have dedicated outdoor spaces. This area enables children to extend their learning beyond the classroom and develop a wide range of skills. Our outdoor provision includes a mud kitchen, den-building resources, a sandpit, and other areas that promote physical development, problem-solving, creativity, and collaborative play. Outdoor learning is fully integrated into our curriculum, giving children regular opportunities to explore, investigate, and learn through first-hand experiences in a safe and stimulating environment.