The curriculum for our youngest learners is full of exciting and stimulating learning opportunities to feed inquisitive minds, fill children with awe and wonder, and nurture their natural desire to learn.
We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum, where the seven areas of Learning and Development are taught concurrently, with equal focus and importance.
The Prime areas of Learning and Development are:
The Specific area of Learning & Development are:
Children are engaged by planned, purposeful play with a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities. They also benefit from a structured academic curriculum which helps accelerate their progress.
Nursery staff use topics and themes based on the children’s interests to provide a wide range of learning opportunities. The daily routines ensure that the children become familiar with their environment and feel safe and confident to explore new experiences. In addition, the skills of independence and self-motivation are encouraged and celebrated.
We keep parents regularly informed so they know how their children are progressing. Because of our excellent staff-to-pupil ratios, additional support can be given if needed to ensure every child meets their full potential. Each child’s progress and development is carefully monitored and recorded using the Foundation Stage Curriculum. Our EYFS SENCO ensures any additional needs are identified early, appropriate support is provided, and children are referred to external agencies if required.
Children’s developmental achievements are recorded in a digital Learning Journey and on ‘Class Dojo’ (our Pre-Prep and Prep School communication platform). Parents are welcome to contribute to their child’s Class Dojo Profile and Learning Journeys. We always encourage parents to become actively involved in every stage of their child’s life at Thorpe Hall School, and aim to form a partnership of open communication and support.
This vital Early Years stage of learning and development prepares children to take the exciting next step into school.
“My daughter has thrived in the Nursery at Thorpe Hall. She can’t wait to get there in the morning, Her progress with language and numeracy, and just her general knowledge of the wider world has been amazing to see. She particularly loves Forest School and I love receiving the photos and hearing about the things they've been up to!"
This area develops children’s positive sense of themselves. It teaches about having respect for oneself and others, developing social skills and a good attitude to learning.
This area involves giving children opportunities to experience a rich language environment; to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves; and to speak and listen in a range of situations.
This area involves providing opportunities for young children to be active and interactive; and to develop their co-ordination, control, and movement; including using cutlery, pencils, and scissors effectively.
Mathematics development involves providing children with opportunities to develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems; and describing shapes, spaces and measures.
Children are guided to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places and the environment.
Literacy development involves encouraging children to link sounds and letters and to begin to read and write. Children must be given access to a wide range of reading materials (books, poems and other written materials) to ignite their interest.
Enabling children to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials, as well as providing opportunities and encouragement for sharing their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role-play, and design and technology.
Small class sizes and spacious facilities 
ISA National Award for Excellence & Innovation in Early Years 
Accredited Forest School 
Accredited Beach School 
Specialist Teaching in Music, French, PE