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(This document will be available for download by: March 31st 2026)
Our Preschool Curriculum (Age 3–4)
What your child will learn during their Preschool year
At Preschool, children learn through play, talk, exploration and hands-on experiences.
Our curriculum is designed to develop confidence, communication, independence and a love of learning — all skills that will help them thrive when they move on to Reception.
We follow a play-based, flexible approach that responds to children’s interests and ideas.
AUTUMN TERM — Settling, Making Friends & Finding Our Voice
During the first term, children will:
Build friendships and relationships with staff
Learn our routines and feel confident saying what they need
Join in with stories, songs and rhymes
Play in groups with support
Explore climbing, running, balancing and messy outdoor play
Make marks using different tools and materials
Count, sort and compare using real-life objects
Talk about themselves, their families and the world around them
Create pictures, models and pretend-play stories inspired by their interests
Focus this term:
Belonging, communication, confidence and independence.
SPRING TERM — Exploring, Asking Questions & Solving Problems
During the spring term, children will:
Use more language to share their ideas, questions and opinions
Work together to solve problems — like building, sharing or planning play
Take part in small group activities that support early reading and maths skills
Explore patterns, shape, capacity and measurement in playful ways
Begin to tell simple stories using puppets, pictures and role-play
Improve control with scissors, pencils, brushes and small tools
Look closely at nature and simple scientific ideas (melting, floating, growing)
Learn about different traditions, cultures and celebrations
Focus this term:
Exploration, thinking and teamwork.
SUMMER TERM — Growing Confidence & Getting Ready for Reception
During the summer term, children will:
Join in and listen during larger group times
Use language confidently to explain their ideas and solve problems
Recognise familiar print and begin to show interest in letters and sounds through play, stories and everyday activities
Use early writing for real purposes (cards, signs, lists, maps)
Count, compare and talk about number in real-life situations
Have a go at recording their ideas through drawing, building or writing
Show increasing independence in personal care and managing belongings
Create performances, dances, artwork and music with growing imagination
Focus this term:
Confidence, creativity, independence and curiosity.
How This Helps Children Move Into Reception
Our Preschool curriculum builds strong foundations so children can:
✔ Listen and join in during group learning
✔ Build relationships and manage emotions
✔ Enjoy books and stories
✔ Explore numbers and patterns through play
✔ Make choices and solve problems
✔ Communicate confidently with others
✔ Develop independence for classroom routines
✔ Feel excited and ready for the next step in their learning journey
Every Child’s Progress is Individual
Children develop at different speeds — and that’s okay.
We support every child through:
Warm, secure relationships
Adapted resources
Plenty of repetition and hands-on learning
Visual supports when needed
A calm, predictable environment
Working closely with families
We celebrate each child’s unique strengths, interests and personality.
Children are never expected to do all of these things by a certain time — we support each child at their own pace.
Document Updated: January 2026
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(This pathway component is currently available to read on the page above and will be available for download by: March 31st 2026)
(This document will be available for download by: January 31st 2026)
Recommended next read Selection
Additional Documents | Professional Membership Contents (Preschool 3-4 Years)
Navigate our Curriculum & Pedagogy guidance documents here.
Pedagogical identity:
Broad, play-based, theme-led curriculum with purposeful adult input and strong continuous provision.
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👉 Big-picture curriculum intent and progression.
Skills Progression Ladders (3–4 Years) - Including Practitioner Guidance
↪ Early Reading (Phase 1 Readiness)
↪ Early Maths - Subitising, Counting & Comparing
↪ Early Maths - Pattern, Shape & Spatial Awareness
Our Preschool Curriculum Intent, Implementation & Impact - OFSTED Conversation Statement
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👉 Theme-led planning lives here.
Core Preschool Themes (6 Weeks Each)
Optional Mini-Themes (1–2 Weeks)
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👉 The engine room of daily practice.
Universal Continuous Provision Packs (Preschool | 3–4 Years)
Construction Area
Small World Area
Role-Play Area
Writing / Mark-Making Area
Maths Area
Creative Area (Art & Making)
Investigation / STEM / Discovery Area
Book Corner / Reading Den
Fine Motor Station
Water Area
Sand Area
Snack Area / Independence Station
Outdoor Provision Core Zones
Physical play
Gross motor skills
Nature area
Outdoor mark-making
Outdoor maths
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👉 Purposeful adult input without formalisation.
Early Reading & Phonics
Phase 1, Vocabulary & Early Comprehension, Curriculum System (24 Sessions)
8 themed sets covering all aspects of Phase 1
24 mini session plans
Vocabulary & story-building scaffolds
Outdoor phonological play ideas
SEND & EAL accessible sessions
Theme-linked sessions (Transport, Animals, Growth)
Assessment & observation prompts
Continuous Provision follow-up suggestions
Maths
Maths Small Group Session Bank (24 Sessions)
Strand A - Subitising (Sessions 1-4)
Strand B - Counting Principles (Sessions 5-8)
Strand C - Comparing Quantites (Sessions 9-12)
Strand D - Composition of Number (Sessions 13-16)
Strand E - Spatial & Shape (Sessions 17-20)
Strand F - Measures & Pattern (Sessions 21-24)
Writing & Fine Motor
Fine Motor & Mark Making Mini Sessions (18)
How To Use Our Fine Motor & Mark Making Mini Sessions Bank
Strand A - Core & Shoulder Stability (Sessions 1-3)
Strand B - Wrist Rotation & Fluidity (Sessions 4-6)
Strand C - Pincer, Pinch & Tool Control (Sessions 7-10)
Strand D - Early Pattern Making: Pre-Writing Shapes (Sessions 11-18)
Early Writing Purpose Mini Sessions (6)
How To Use Our Early Writing Purpose Mini Sessions Bank
Lists
Labels
Messages
Maps
Signs
Tickets & Recipes
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👉 Practical planning support.
Adult-Led Session Planning Templates Pack
Universal
Phonics / Early Language Focus (Listening → Rhyme → Sound Awareness)
Maths Focus (Number + Pattern + Shape + Measure)
Story & Book Talk Focus (Comprehension → Retell → Vocabulary → Prediction)
PSED / Self-Regulation Small Group
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👉 Proportionate, non-statutory assessment.
Assessment Dashboard Pack (3 Versions)
Prime Areas Only Dashboard (Communication & Language, PSED, Physical)
Full EYFS Areas Dashboard (Prime + Specific)
Dashboard with Wellbeing & Involvement Scale (Leuven-inspired 1–5 ratings)
Short & Long Versions
Guidance - How To Complete And Share With Families
End of Term Template
End of Year Template
Guidance - How To Write Strength-Based Reports
Sentence Starters Bank
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👉 Parent Engagement plus Emotional, environmental and communicative transition.
Preschool Transition to Reception Pack
↪ Child Passport
↪ Practitioner-To-Practitioner Handover Summary
↪ SEND Transition Sheet
↪ Family Transition Summary Sheet
↪ Parent Leaflet — “Preparing For Reception”
↪ Child Voice Page
↪ Guidance Page— “How To Complete & Share Transition Information”
Home & Setting Communication
↪ Our Preschool Curriculum (Age 3–4) | Parent-Facing Document
(Additional parent literature within planning documents.)
Additional Whole-Setting Guidance | for Professional Members
Explore our whole-setting guidance below, including overarching curriculum and pedagogy documents, early years schemas and EYFS setting policies.
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Early Years Schemas - Practitioner Toolkit | EYFS Birth-5
↪ Schema Cards (definition, behaviours, age-related examples, enabling resources)
↪ Schema Observation & Responsive Provision Planning Template
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EYFS Group Setting Policies Pack
↪ x 22 Policy Documents
↪ Policy Sign-Off and Confirmation Document
↪ EYFS Setting Policy Folder Contents List
Childminder Setting Policies Pack
↪ x 22 Policy Documents
↪ Childminder Assistant or Volunteer Policy Sign-Off and Confirmation Document
↪ Childminder Policy Folder Contents List
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↪ Clear, practitioner-friendly explanations of key curriculum and pedagogy terms used throughout our guidance.
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Content within the EYFS Curriculum & Pedagogy Membership is provided as professional guidance and support. It reflects current understanding of the EYFS statutory framework, Development Matters and inspection expectations at the time of writing. Practitioners are responsible for applying professional judgement and ensuring practice aligns with current statutory requirements and their specific context.
Updated: January 2026