How Continuous Provision Works in Our Preschool Curriculum (3–4 Years)

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(This document will be available for download by: March 31st 2026)

How Continuous Provision Works in Our Preschool Curriculum (3–4 Years)

A clear, shared explanation of play-based learning in practice

What Do We Mean by Continuous Provision?

Continuous Provision refers to the core learning areas, resources and environments that are available to children every day, both indoors and outdoors.

These areas are:

• intentionally planned

• carefully resourced

• consistent over time

• rich in learning opportunities

They allow children to return to ideas, skills and interests repeatedly, deepening understanding through play.

In our Preschool curriculum, Continuous Provision is the backbone of learning.

Why Continuous Provision Matters in EYFS

High-quality Continuous Provision:

• supports child-led, play-based learning

• enables practitioners to respond in the moment

• allows learning to be observed, assessed and extended naturally

• provides repeated opportunities to practise skills

• supports all areas of learning simultaneously

• builds independence, confidence and resilience

This aligns with:

• the EYFS Statutory Framework

• Development Matters

• the Characteristics of Effective Learning

• Ofsted’s focus on quality of education

How Continuous Provision Fits Into Our Curriculum

Our curriculum is designed around three connected layers:

1. Continuous Provision (Always Available)

These are the stable learning zones children access daily, such as:

• construction

• role-play

• mark-making

• maths

• creative

• small world

• outdoors

• snack / independence

Each area has:

• a clear purpose

• identified learning opportunities

• adult interaction prompts

• vocabulary to model

• SEND & EAL adaptations

This is outlined in our Universal Continuous Provision Pack.

2. Enhancements & Provocations (Responsive)

Enhancements are small, thoughtful changes to Continuous Provision, such as:

• adding new resources

• introducing themed materials

• offering a new challenge or question

• placing an object linked to children’s interests

Enhancements:

• are short-term

• respond to observations

• link to themes without replacing provision

• invite curiosity rather than direct outcomes

3. Adult-Led Focused Sessions (Short & Purposeful)

Adult-led mini sessions:

• introduce new ideas, skills or experiences

• model language, techniques or thinking

• are brief (5–10 minutes)

• feed directly back into play

After these sessions, children apply learning independently within Continuous Provision.

How the OAP Cycle Works in Continuous Provision

Our approach follows the Observation–Assessment–Planning (OAP) cycle:

1. Observe
   Practitioners notice what children do, say and show during play.

2. Assess
   Adults consider:

• skills being practised

• interests emerging

• possible next steps

3. Plan
   Planning happens through:

• adult interactions in play

• small provision enhancements

• selecting an adult-led mini session if needed

This cycle is ongoing and responsive, not paperwork-heavy.

How Themes Fit In (Without Overpowering Play)

Our curriculum includes six main themes across the year. These themes:

• provide shared language and experiences

• support vocabulary development

• offer cultural capital

• inspire enhancements and adult-led sessions

However:

• themes do not dictate play

• Continuous Provision remains stable

• children’s interests always lead

Themes are a vehicle, not a restriction.

The Role of the Adult in Continuous Provision

Adults:

• observe attentively

• model language and thinking

• join play sensitively

• scaffold learning through interaction

• extend learning through questions and prompts

• know when to step back

High-quality interaction is more important than frequent resource changes.

Inclusion Within Continuous Provision

Our Continuous Provision approach:

• supports SEND and EAL learners

• includes sensory regulation options

• offers multiple ways to engage

• values all forms of communication

• allows children to access learning at their own level

Adaptations are built into provision, not added later.

In Summary

Continuous Provision in our Preschool curriculum:

• is intentional, not accidental

• is stable, but flexible

• supports all areas of learning

• works alongside adult-led teaching

• places the child at the centre

Document Updated: January 2026

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(This pathway component will be available for download by: March 31st 2026)

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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.

• 1. Welcome to Preschool (Start Here)

  👉 Pre-planning orientation.

  • Preschool Pedagogy Position Statement

  • Preschool Curriculum Overview & Rationale

  • Curriculum Overview: How Themes Fit Together (6 Main + 8 Mini)

  • What Child-Led Does Not Mean

  • Adult-Led With Purpose in Preschool

• 2. Preschool Curriculum & Progression

  👉 Big-picture curriculum intent and progression.

  • Preschool Curriculum Map (By Term)

  • Skills Progression Ladders (3–4 Years) - Including Practitioner Guidance

    ↪ Communication & Language

    ↪ Early Reading (Phase 1 Readiness)

    ↪ Early Writing

    ↪ Early Maths - Subitising, Counting & Comparing

    ↪ Early Maths - Pattern, Shape & Spatial Awareness

    ↪ PSED - Self-Regulation & Relationships

    ↪ Fine Motor & Hand Control

  • Strength-Based Progress Overview

  • Our Preschool Curriculum Intent, Implementation & Impact - OFSTED Conversation Statement

• 3. Preschool Themes & Medium-Term Planning

  👉 Theme-led planning lives here.

  • Curriculum Overview | How Themes Fit Together

  • Preschool Theme Packs – FAQs

  • How Practitioners Use This Curriculum Daily

  Core Preschool Themes (6 Weeks Each)

  • ‍Autumn 1: This Is Me

  • Autumn 2: Who Helps When…?

  • Spring 1: Journeys & Transport

  • Spring 2: Animals & Habitats

  • Summer 1: Growing & Changing

  • Summer 2: Water World

  Optional Mini-Themes (1–2 Weeks)

  • Space

  • Dinosaurs & the Mystery Egg

  • Pets & Vets

  • Building & Construction

  • Traditional Tales

  • Beaches & Coastlines

  • Healthy Bodies & Wellbeing

  • Celebrations Around the World

• 4. Continuous Provision in Preschool

  👉 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

  • Preschool Environment & Provision Map Audit Pack

  • How Continuous Provision Works in Our Preschool Curriculum

  • Continuous Provision Audit Checklist

  • Continuous Provision FAQs (For Preschool Practitioners)

• 5. Adult-Led Teaching & Small Groups

  👉 Purposeful adult input without formalisation.

  Early Reading & Phonics

  • Phonics & Early Reading Pack

  • 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

  • Adult-Led Session Templates

  • Practitioner FAQs

  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)

  • How To Use Our Maths Session Bank & Strand Overview (A–F)

  • Adult-Led Session Templates

  • Practitioner FAQs

  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

  • How These Two Session Banks Are Designed To Work Together

• 6. Language, Interaction & Thinking

  👉 High-impact interaction guidance.

  • How We Talk to Children

  • Five Sentence Stems For Preschool Practitioners

  • If Interest Sparks — What Happens Next?

  • Preschool Staff Guidance Posters

• 7. Planning Tools & Templates

  👉 Practical planning support.

  • Weekly Planning Templates (2 Versions)

  • How to Use the Preschool Weekly Planning Templates: Guide

  • 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

• 8. Observation, Assessment & Reporting

  👉 Proportionate, non-statutory assessment.

  • Observe–Assess–Plan (OAP) Toolkit - Preschool

  • 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)

  • Progress Review (3–4 Years)

    • Short & Long Versions

    • Guidance - How To Complete And Share With Families

  • Preschool Report Pack

    • End of Term Template

    • End of Year Template

    • Guidance - How To Write Strength-Based Reports

    • Sentence Starters Bank

• 9. Transition to Reception

  👉 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.

• Curriculum & Pedagogy

  • Little Owls Resources’ Curriculum Intent Statement

  • EYFS from Birth to 5: Curriculum Coherence & Pedagogical Throughline

  • Whole-Setting Curriculum Map (Birth-5): Curriculum Intent & Progression

  • Pedagogy Guidance Document

  • Speech & Language Development - Setting Statement

  • EYFS Inspection-Facing Summaries

• Early Years Schemas

  Early Years Schemas - Practitioner Toolkit | EYFS Birth-5

  ↪ Schema Cards (definition, behaviours, age-related examples, enabling resources)

  ↪ Schema Observation & Responsive Provision Planning Template

• EYFS Setting Policies

  • 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

• EYFS Glossary

  EYFS Glossary

  ↪ 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