curriculum intent statement
Curriculum Intent Statement
At Sir James Knott Nursery School and the Nest, our curriculum is rooted in the principles of the Birth to 5 Matters guidance and reflects our belief that every child is unique, capable, and confident learners from birth. Our intent is to provide a rich, inclusive, and ambitious early years curriculum that supports children to develop knowledge, skills, and dispositions they need for lifelong learning, while recognising the critical importance of the early years as the foundation for future success.
We aim to ensure that all children, regardless of background, starting point, or need, make strong progress across the prime and specific areas of learning, with particular emphasis on the characteristics of effective learning. Our curriculum is carefully designed to be child-centred, play-based, and responsive, building on children’s interests, experiences, and cultural capital, while also introducing new knowledge and experiences that broaden their understanding of the world.
In line with Birth to 5 Matters, we prioritise:
· Strong, nurturing relationships that support children’s emotional wellbeing, sense of belonging, and self-regulation.
· High-quality communication and language experiences, recognising spoken language as the foundation for learning across all areas.
· Inclusive practice, ensuring that children with SEND, disadvantaged children, and those learning English as an additional language are fully supported to thrive.
· Equity and ambition, with high expectations for all children and carefully planned experiences that reduce gaps in learning and development.
· Learning through play, both indoors and outdoors, where children are supported to explore, investigate, and make sense of their world through first-hand experiences.
Our curriculum is underpinned by ongoing observation, assessment, and reflection, ensuring that teaching is responsive and builds progressively on what children already know and can do. We work in close partnership with parents, carers, and other professionals, recognising them as children’s first and most enduring educators.
By the time children leave our Maintained Nursery School, we intend that they are:
· Confident, resilient, and motivated learners
· Secure in their emotional wellbeing and relationships
· Effective communicators
· Curious about the world and eager to learn
· Well-prepared for the next stage of their education
curriculum implementation statement
Curriculum Implementation Statement
At Sir James Knott Nursery School and the Nest, our curriculum is implemented through high-quality interactions, play-based learning, and a carefully planned environment that reflects the principles and guidance of Birth to 5 Matters. Practitioners use their strong knowledge of child development to support children’s learning in a way that is responsive, inclusive, and ambitious.
Teaching and Learning
Learning is primarily delivered through purposeful play, where adults skilfully observe, interact, and extend children’s thinking through sustained shared thinking, modelling, and questioning. Practitioners balance child-initiated and adult-guided experiences, ensuring children have opportunities to explore their interests while also being introduced to new knowledge and skills.
Curriculum Planning
Our curriculum is planned around the prime and specific areas of learning, with careful consideration of children’s individual starting points, interests, and needs. Long-term curriculum intentions are informed by Birth to 5 Matters, while medium and short-term planning remains flexible and responsive. Learning experiences are sequenced to support progression and revisiting of key concepts over time.
Enabling Environments
The indoor and outdoor environments are organised to promote independence, curiosity, and exploration. Resources are carefully chosen to be open-ended, inclusive, and culturally responsive, enabling children to revisit and deepen their learning across all areas. Continuous provision is enhanced by targeted adult interactions to support challenge and progression.
Communication and Language
High priority is given to communication and language development. Adults model rich vocabulary, engage children in meaningful conversations, share high-quality stories, rhymes, and songs, and create opportunities for children to express themselves confidently. Support is tailored for children with speech and language needs and those learning English as an additional language.
Inclusion and Equality
Our curriculum is implemented inclusively so that all children, including those with SEND and disadvantaged children, can access learning and make progress. Adaptations, reasonable adjustments, and targeted interventions are used to ensure equity and high expectations for every child. We work closely with families and external professionals to provide consistent and effective support.
Assessment and Reflection
Assessment is ongoing and integral to teaching. Practitioners use observations, professional dialogue, and knowledge of the child to inform next steps, ensuring learning builds on what children already know and can do. Assessment is used to support learning rather than to label or limit children.
Partnership with Families
We recognise parents and carers as children’s first educators. Strong partnerships are maintained through regular communication, shared learning opportunities, and collaboration to support children’s development both at home and in Nursery.
Through this approach, we ensure that our curriculum is implemented consistently and effectively, enabling all children to make meaningful progress and develop the foundations they need for future learning.
curriculum impact statement
Curriculum Impact Statement
The impact of our curriculum at Sir James Knott Nursery School and the Nest is that children make strong progress from their individual starting points and develop the essential foundations for future learning, in line with the Birth to 5 Matters guidance.
Through a carefully planned and responsive curriculum, children demonstrate:
· Secure emotional wellbeing and positive relationships, showing increasing confidence, resilience, and self-regulation.
· Strong progress in communication and language, enabling them to express their thoughts, needs, and ideas with confidence.
· Growing independence and positive learning behaviours, reflected in the characteristics of effective learning such as curiosity, persistence, and problem-solving.
· Developing physical skills, coordination, and healthy habits that support both learning and wellbeing.
· Increasing knowledge and understanding across the prime and specific areas of learning, supported by rich, meaningful play experiences.
Children with SEND, those who are disadvantaged, and children learning English as an additional language make good progress because the curriculum is inclusive, ambitious, and carefully adapted to meet individual needs Gaps in learning are identified early and addressed through targeted support and close partnerships with families and professionals.
Assessment information, professional knowledge, and reflective practice show that children are well prepared for their next stage of learning. They leave out Nursery School as confident, capable learners who are motivated, curious, and ready to continue their learning journey.
The effectiveness of our curriculum is further evidenced through:
· Consistently positive transitions between our settings to reception or onward settings.
· Strong engagement from families and positive parental feedback.
· Ongoing evaluation and improvement pf practice by staff and leaders.
Overall, our curriculum ensures that children thrive, feel safe and valued, and develop the skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed for lifelong learning.
our curriculum: Sir James Knott Nursery School and the nest
Our Curriculum
At Sir James Knott Nursery School and the Nest, our curriculum is carefully designed and mapped across the seven areas of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure a broad, balanced and ambitious start for every child.
Our curriculum documents have been co-created by our teaching and learning staff, drawing on their expertise, experience and deep understanding of child development. This collaborative approach ensures that the curriculum is meaningful, developmentally appropriate and responsive to the needs and interests of our children.
Each area of learning is clearly mapped to show how children’s knowledge, skills and experiences develop and build over time, from their earliest experiences through to nursery education. This supports high-quality planning and helps staff to identify children’s next steps, ensuring learning is purposeful and well sequenced.
To strengthen this work further, we have appointed Curriculum Champions for specific areas of learning. These staff act as ambassadors for their area, supporting colleagues, contributing to professional development and working alongside leaders and governors to ensure that all areas of learning are given equal priority in planning, provision and assessment.
Through this approach, we ensure that our curriculum remains coherent, inclusive and carefully monitored, providing children with rich learning experiences that support them to achieve, belong and thrive.
cultural capital
At Sir James Knott Nursery School and the Nest, we are committed to providing rich and meaningful experiences that build children’s cultural capital from the very start of their learning journey.
In the early years, cultural capital is about giving children the knowledge, skills and experiences they need to understand the world around them and to succeed in life. We recognise that every child arrives with their own unique experiences, and it is our role to broaden and deepen these through high-quality provision and opportunities.
How we develop Cultural Capital
We carefully design our curriculum and experiences to ensure children:
- Explore the world around them – through outdoor learning, nature, animals and real-life experiences
- Experience a rich and varied curriculum – including stories, music, art, language and creative expression
- Build language and communication – through high-quality interactions, storytelling and sustained shared thinking
- Engage with their community – through visits, visitors and meaningful links beyond the setting
- Celebrate diversity and inclusion – learning about different cultures, traditions and ways of life
- Develop life skills – including independence, resilience, problem-solving and collaboration
Learning Through Experience
We believe that children learn best through first-hand, meaningful experiences. Whether it is caring for animals, exploring water play, engaging in celebrations, or taking part in special events, these opportunities help children to:
- Make connections in their learning
- Develop curiosity and awe
- Build confidence and independence
- Understand their place in the world
A Strong Foundation for the Future
Our approach ensures that all children, regardless of their starting points, develop the cultural knowledge and experiences they need to thrive both now and in the future.
By the time children leave Sir James Knott Nursery School and the Nest, they are curious, confident and well-prepared, with a broad range of experiences that support their next steps in education and beyond.
British values
At Sir James Knott Nursery School and the Nest, we actively promote British Values as part of our early years curriculum, helping children to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to become respectful, confident and active members of their community.
In the early years, British Values are not taught as a separate subject but are woven through everyday experiences, relationships and play. Through our nurturing environment, children begin to understand how to live alongside others with kindness, respect and fairness.
How we promote British Values in the Early Years
Democracy
Children are encouraged to share their views, make choices and take part in decision-making. This may be through choosing activities, contributing ideas, or expressing preferences during the day. Their voices are valued and listened to.
Rule of Law
Children learn about rules, boundaries and expectations through consistent routines and clear guidance. They begin to understand why rules are important to keep everyone safe, happy and able to learn.
Individual Liberty
We support children to develop independence and confidence, encouraging them to make choices, explore their interests and take safe risks within a secure environment.
Mutual Respect
Respect is at the heart of our setting. Children are supported to understand and value themselves and others, learning to be kind, considerate and inclusive in their interactions.
Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs
We celebrate diversity and help children to learn about different cultures, traditions and ways of life. Through stories, celebrations and experiences, children develop an understanding and appreciation of the world around them.
A Strong Foundation for Life
Through promoting British Values, we help children to:
- Feel safe, valued and respected
- Build positive relationships with others
- Develop confidence and independence
- Understand differences and celebrate diversity
These early experiences provide children with a strong foundation for life in modern Britain, preparing them for their next steps in education and beyond.
spiritual, moral, social and cultural development (smsc)
At Sir James Knott Nursery School and the Nest, we are committed to nurturing the whole child, supporting not only their academic development but also their spiritual, moral, social and cultural growth.
Spiritual Development
We create a calm, reflective environment where children are encouraged to explore their thoughts, feelings and sense of self. Through awe and wonder in the natural world, creative experiences and meaningful interactions, children develop curiosity, imagination and a growing understanding of the world around them.
Moral Development
Children are supported to understand the difference between right and wrong through clear boundaries, consistent routines and nurturing guidance. We promote values such as kindness, fairness, respect and honesty, helping children to make positive choices and develop empathy for others.
Social Development
Strong relationships are at the heart of our provision. Children learn to share, cooperate and build friendships through play and guided interactions. We encourage independence, confidence and communication, ensuring every child feels a strong sense of belonging within our inclusive community.
Cultural Development
We celebrate diversity and promote understanding of different cultures, traditions and communities. Through our curriculum, stories, celebrations and experiences, children develop respect for others and an appreciation of the wider world, supporting them to become thoughtful and inclusive citizens.
Our approach to SMSC is woven throughout our curriculum and daily practice, ensuring children leave us as confident, respectful and well-rounded learners, ready to Achieve, Belong and Thrive.
Birth to 5 matters
Our Philosophy
At Sir James Knott Nursery School and the Nest, our curriculum and practice are guided by Birth to 5 Matters, a nationally recognised framework that supports children’s learning and development from birth to five years.
Birth to 5 Matters helps us to understand how young children develop, recognising that every child grows and learns at their own pace. It places strong emphasis on relationships, play, exploration and high-quality interactions, ensuring that learning is meaningful, enjoyable and developmentally appropriate.
Using this guidance, our staff carefully observe children to understand their interests, strengths and next steps. This enables us to plan learning experiences that support children’s communication, physical development, emotional well-being and early learning skills, while also nurturing curiosity, confidence and independence.
Birth to 5 Matters also supports our inclusive approach. It helps us to identify children who may need additional support early on and to work closely with families and other professionals to ensure every child is supported to make progress from their starting point.
By using Birth to 5 Matters across both the Nursery School and the Nest, we ensure a consistent, high-quality approach to early learning from birth through to nursery education, giving every child the strongest possible foundation to achieve, belong and thrive.
The ShREC Approach – Supporting High-Quality Interactions
At Sir James Knott Nursery School and the Nest, we place communication and language development at the heart of everything we do. The ability to communicate well underpins children’s learning, thinking, social skills and emotional wellbeing, and is linked to improved outcomes later in life .
To support this, we use the ShREC approach, a simple, memorable and evidence-informed framework developed by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) to promote high-quality interactions between staff and children every day .
The ShREC approach encourages practitioners to focus thoughtfully on how we engage with children by using four key strategies:
🔹 Share attention – tuning in to what children are focused on, getting down to their level and joining in with genuine interest.
🔹 Respond – following the child’s lead and warmly acknowledging their communication, whether verbal or non-verbal.
🔹 Expand – building on what a child says by modelling richer language, helping children hear and use more complex vocabulary.
🔹 Conversation – developing sustained back-and-forth interactions that allow children to practise talking and thinking, with adults supporting turn-taking and meaningfully extending dialogue .
High-quality, back-and-forth conversation like this doesn’t always look formal, but it is powerful: it helps children to learn new words, deepen their thinking and express their ideas with confidence. The ShREC strategies are woven into every area of our curriculum and daily routines so that every child receives rich, responsive support to develop language and communication skills.
By embedding the ShREC approach into our practice, we ensure that children at Sir James Knott Nursery School and the Nest are supported to achieve, belong and thrive through meaningful, emotionally connected learning experiences.
Neurodiversity in the early years
Our Philosophy
How We Support All Children
How We Support All Children
At Sir James Knott Nursery School and the Nest, we recognise, value and celebrate neurodiversity.
Neurodiversity is the understanding that all children’s brains develop differently and that these differences are a natural and valuable part of human diversity. This includes children who may be described as neurodivergent, such as those wi
At Sir James Knott Nursery School and the Nest, we recognise, value and celebrate neurodiversity.
Neurodiversity is the understanding that all children’s brains develop differently and that these differences are a natural and valuable part of human diversity. This includes children who may be described as neurodivergent, such as those with autism, ADHD, speech and language differences, sensory processing differences, or other developmental differences.
In the early years, children grow and learn in many different ways and at different paces. We believe there is no single “right” way to learn, and we are committed to creating an environment where every child feels safe, understood, respected and able to thrive.
How We Support All Children
How We Support All Children
How We Support All Children
Our approach is inclusive by design. We plan and deliver a curriculum that is flexible, responsive and rooted in children’s individual strengths, interests and needs. This means:
- Creating nurturing, predictable environments that support emotional wellbeing and help children feel secure.
- Using adapted and personalised approaches, includin
Our approach is inclusive by design. We plan and deliver a curriculum that is flexible, responsive and rooted in children’s individual strengths, interests and needs. This means:
- Creating nurturing, predictable environments that support emotional wellbeing and help children feel secure.
- Using adapted and personalised approaches, including visual supports, clear routines, sensory-aware practice, and small-group or one-to-one support where appropriate.
- Offering multiple ways to learn and communicate, recognising that children may express understanding through play, movement, visuals, sounds, or interactions rather than words alone.
- Supporting children to develop self-regulation, confidence and independence, while ensuring they feel supported at every step.
- Working closely with families, valuing parents and carers as experts in their child, and building strong, trusting partnerships.
- Collaborating with external professionals when needed to ensure children receive timely, appropriate support.
At the Nest, our provision for younger children places a strong emphasis on early attachment, sensory exploration and responsive interactions, laying secure foundations for lifelong learning and wellbeing.
Our Commitment
How We Support All Children
Our Commitment
We do not aim to “fix” or change children. Instead, we adapt our practice, environment and curriculum to fit the child, not the other way around. Our focus is on recognising strengths, celebrating progress in all its forms, and ensuring that every child feels a strong sense of belonging.
At Sir James Knott Nursery School and the Nest, we
We do not aim to “fix” or change children. Instead, we adapt our practice, environment and curriculum to fit the child, not the other way around. Our focus is on recognising strengths, celebrating progress in all its forms, and ensuring that every child feels a strong sense of belonging.
At Sir James Knott Nursery School and the Nest, we are proud to be a community where difference is valued, individuality is respected, and every child is supported to reach their own unique potential.