Our Early Years Curriculum
Our annual events and topics list underpins how we organise our learning activities for all children. This plan for learning and teaching forms the basis of the broad and balanced range of experiences in which the EYFS learning intentions are integrated. We use our local resources and lots of National celebrations for learning.
Planned and learning in-the-moment provides the experiences needed to stimulate awe and wonder, scaffold learning in the way each child learns, and to provide opportunities for children to engage in new learning experiences as well as following their interests.
Our annual events and topics are integrated into our Book A Week Programme so that key learning and life lessons are taught through stories. These run in the order of the academic year.
Scarecrow Festival
At the end of August and the beginning of September, we will build our scarecrows and take part in a local Scarecrow Festival.
Twycross Zoo
During the first half term, we will visit Twycross Zoo. We will learn about their conservation projects and how animals are cared for. We will also visit the Gruffalo adventure park to learn more about the features and habitats of animals.
Autumn
Autumn brings a time for change. We explore crunching leaves, making homes for hedgehogs and packing away all of our summer toys before the winter.
Harvest
At the start of October marks Harvest Festival where we will be collecting all of the remaining vegetables and fruit from our garden. It will be a time for learning about sharing.
Spooky Times
October is a time when we learn about all things spooky! We talk about night time animals and learn about winter traditions.
Fireworks and Bonfires
Fireworks and Bonfire events are a great opportunity to talk to the children about fire safety, being seen at night, taking care and looking after others.
Remembrance Day
During November, we will celebrate Remembrance Day. We will be learning about the British Legion's work, what poppies mean to remembrance and in what ways we remember loved ones.
Lantern Festival
As the dark evenings set-in, we will light up our way with lanterns as a symbol of hope and opportunity. We will be making lanterns and hosting our own mini lantern festival.
Diwali
During November, we learn about Diwali - the festival of light. We will learn about light, the festival and why we celebrate.
BBC Children In Need
November sees everyone cuddling bears! We take part in charity activities to support Children In Need. The children learn about charitable giving and fundraising.
World Nursery Rhyme Week
The middle of November is the time to learn about World Nursery Rhyme Week. We will be learning traditional and modern Nursery Rhymes from all wound the world.
Winter
Mid-November and early-December will be all about exploring Winter. We will talk about what we need to wear and how the weather will be changing. This time will be full of wintery stories.
Seasonal Events
Seasonal festivities take place throughout December. Children can meet Father Christmas and take part in special events.
Ho Ho Ho!
Physical Activity & Winter
In January, we start the year with a focus on physical activities and how we can stay fit and healthy through the winter months.
Lunar New Year
We will be learning about the Lunar New Year. We will celebrate the Chinese animal each year..
Children's Mental Health Week - My Voice Matters
During this week, We will explore emotions and feelings. Children will learn about how to ask for help and look after each other.
Shrove Tuesday
In the build up to lent is Shrove Tuesday, as well as Mardi Gras. We will be talking about fasting and the meaning of Lent before Easter.
British Science Week
We will celebrate British Science Week. We will be introducing a range of STEAM activities including making exploding volcanoes, and building and making lots of things.
World Book Day
We will spend a week learning about authors and illustrators. We will put together our own books, read our favourite books, listen to talking books and learn all about our favourite characters.
Mothering Sunday
In the build up of Mothering Sunday, we learn about mothering. We will learn with intergenerational family members and will be making personalised crafts for our mothers and grandmothers.
Chatter Matters
Chatter Matters!
During Warwickshire Chatter Matters Week, We will have extra activities that support the development of communication throughout Chatters Matters Week.
Comic Relief
This event sees everyone enjoy a good giggle and a joke!
We will encourage everyone to do something that will make others smile!
St Patrick's Day
For St. Patrick's Day, we will learn all about Ireland and Irish Folk Stories. We will look for gold at the end of the rainbow whilst we learn about colours and making rainbows.
World Oral Health Day
World Oral Health Day reminds everyone to value and take care of their oral health and to make the right decisions to protect it.
Holi
This is Hindu festival that marks the arrival of Spring. Known widely as the Festival of Colour, it takes place over two days, and is a celebration of fertility, colour, and love, as well as the triumph of good versus evil.
Ramadan
The holy month of Ramadan starts following the sighting of the moon over Mecca. Ramadan involves a month of fasting. After the fasting, a celebration is held called Eid al-Fitr. Muslims make a charitable donation to feed the less fortunate.
Easter
In the build up to Easter Sunday, We will learn about Easter to explore the meaning of Easter and modern activities - Easter egg hunt, Easter bonnets and meeting the Easter bunny.
Easter Holidays
Over the Easter holiday period, we will focus on physical activities to do outdoors now that the weather is getting better. Using our Easter egg hunt, nature trails and making mazes.
Spring Animals & Farm Visit
During spring is when our local lambs are up and about in the fields. We visit a local farmer to share their lovely lambs with us.
St George's Day
For St George's Day. We will learn about the legend of St George and everything related to dragons and England!
King Charles III coronation anniversary
At the beginning of May we learn about the anniversary of the King's coronation, the Royal Family and our British Values.
Eurovision
At the beginning of May, we are all united by music. We learn about the music and cultures of all of the countries taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Keeping Ourselves Safe
Before everyone starts going out to enjoy the sun and visit new places, we spend time learning about how to keep ourselves safe. A visit from our local Police Officers is always wonderfully exciting!
World Bee Day
The end of May is an important time for bees collecting pollen and making honey. We will explore how our fruit and vegetables are pollenated, and life cycles of insects.
May Day
We will use colourful ribbons to explore May Day including traditions like the maypole dance and folk music.
Trooping the Colour
We will learn about the Sovereign's birthday on 17 June and what it means to be part of the King's regiment.
We will take the opportunity to also learn about castles and historical events involving our soldiers.
Fathering Day
During June, we learn about fathering - in all shapes and forms. It is a wonderful time to reflect on who is in our family, who helps us and what it means.
World Music Day
World Music Day mid-June is all about exploring musical instruments, singing, noise making and enjoying playing with sounds. We will explore music and instruments from around the world.
International Day of Yoga
During June, we will be learning all about International Yoga Day.
We will learn about mindfulness, meditation and good body positions for both mental health and physical health.
Sports Day
Sports Day will take place at the end of June during Wimbledon week! We will celebrate a range of sports and enjoy taking part in a range of activities.
The Wimbledon Championships
Our own Deputy Manager inspires our week of tennis. We will be ACE all week! Lots of tennis activities, learning about the history of tennis and taking part in a tennis match! OUT!
Tropical Birdland Visit
During the Summer months we visit the Tropical Birdland in Desford. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn about flying and the homelands of many birds from across the world.
https://tropicalbirdland.com/
World Chocolate Day!
World Chocolate Day takes place at the beginning of July. This is a great opportunity to learn about how food travels across the world. We will be talking about cocoa and testing out lots of different chocolate!
Shark Awareness Day
We will be learning about oceans and creatures that live in the sea. We will explore how to care for our waters, the water cycle and how we use water.
Friendship Day
For National Friendship Day, We will learn about our friendships and explore stories about making friends and playing together.
Summer
Throughout the Summer months, we will explore a wide range of sand and water play, foam, bubbles and mud! We will learn about flying kites, riding and playing out, sun safety and holidays!
Graduation and
Awards Event
At the end of the Summer term, we will celebrate all of the achievements of the little ones with our awards event.
Our pre-schoolers will graduate and we will reflect upon the wonderful memories of their time with us.
International Tiger Day
International Tiger Day is important because we need our young children to understand about conservation, endangered animals and the habitats of wild animals. We will be supporting the WWF to encourage young people to get involved in supporting animal causes.
National Photography Day
Mid-August is time to take pictures! We will learn about how to take great pictures of the things that we are interested in.