Curriculum
Our setting usually assesses children by our curriculum (known as the ‘Areas of Assessment’ or ‘Clouds’), however some children are assessed differently depending on their needs and development. Alongside the Clouds, children are also monitored for “Observation Checkpoints” which are points of time a child should be able to do a particular skill or behaviour, such as using gestures and being able to pull themselves up from a sitting position by the time they are 12 months old.
Want to know more details on our assessment process? Follow this link for more information!
Staff provide opportunities for children to develop their skills covered in our curriculum through both child-led and adult-led play. This includes setting out activities and letting the children choose which they would like to do, and sit-down activities with the children that are guided by staff and/or volunteers.
Did you know . . .
All children develop at different rates, regardless of their home life, experiences and health. You may have one child who starts talking early whilst your other child takes a little longer. This is completely normal and expected as each child is an individual; going on their own journey!
Areas of Assessment / Clouds
Good Communicators
Developing communication skills using their preferred method/s such as: speaking, babbling, making gestures, using makaton, or using item boards or visuals.
Resilience
Developing confidence and resilience in the face of challenges! Such as learning to turn take, waiting their turn to speak or do an action. Resilience also includes understanding and recognising emotions of both themselves and their peers, as well as understanding routines, etc.
Independent and Active Learner
Developing independence through play and self-care, from learning to play by their selves or alongside and with others, to getting their own coats and bags or feeding themselves. Independent Active Learner also includes being active such as climbing, riding trikes, scooters, ball play, etc. and playing with different mediums such as sand, water, and gloopy playdough.
Predicting and Problem Solving
Developing problem solving skills such as noticing when objects aren’t there, playing with puzzles and recognising patterns (such as learning routines, numbers, shapes, colours, etc.). Predicting and Problem Solving also involves learning about spatial awareness and understanding where our body (or limbs are) in space.
Literacy
Developing literacy skills through listening and reading stories, taking part in song time, learning actions to songs (for example, heads, shoulders, knees and toes) and learning rhymes. Literacy also involves mark-making and recognising letters in the children’s names.
Understanding our Community
Developing understanding of their community and their home life, including understanding their family, what they celebrate and the local area. Understanding our Community also involves learning about cultural knowledge about Cornwall (mining, fishing, festivals) and recognising differences between themselves and others.
