• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
• Communication, Language and Literacy
• Mathematical Development
• Knowledge and Understanding of the World
• Physical Development
• Creative Development

However children's learning cannot be compartmentalised and one exciting activity will provide opportunities for learning to take place across a number of these areas of learning.

These six areas of learning are linked, through stepping-stones to the Early Learning Goals, which establish expectations for most children to attain by the end of their time in a reception class.  Some children will exceed these goals, while others, especially those with Special Educational Needs (S.E.N.), English as an additional language (E.A.L.), or even the younger children will be working appropriately towards these goals.

At Ashridge Nursery we find that an effective way of covering the curriculum each term is through topic based activities.  Each topic is carefully chosen to match the age, maturity and different capabilities of the children whilst aiming to provide fun, excitement and the opportunity for learning.  Parents are provided with a planning overview of the topic at the beginning of each term along with an Activities at Home sheet that has suggestions for activities you can do with your children to support their learning.

Recent examples of topics we have covered include Nursery Rhymes, Homes and Gardens and Minibeasts.

Throughout the year we also link activities with special days such as Christmas, Pancake Day, Mothering Sunday and Easter.  Each term we celebrate a festival from another country or culture, giving the children the opportunity to learn about other people's lives through a variety of ways such as listening to music and food tasting.