Preschool Theme Packs — Frequently Asked Questions | 3-4 Years

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Preschool Theme Packs | Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to our Preschool Theme Pack FAQs below:

• Do I have to follow the themes in a set order?

  No. We recommend an order that supports progression across the year; however, every setting is unique. You can reorder, shorten, extend or pause themes based on children’s interests, seasonal opportunities, or cohort needs.

• How many adult-led sessions should I deliver each week?

  There is no required number. Our mini sessions are short, flexible and concept-focused — use them when they add value, introduce new vocabulary or respond to a need you have observed.

• What if children are not interested in the theme?

  Follow the children. Core Experiences allow themes to connect to children’s ideas, and adults can adapt vocabulary, stories or small-world play to match current fascinations (e.g., “animal superheroes,” “underwater dinosaurs,” “pet robots”).

  Themes provide context, not restriction.

• Can I pick and choose rather than use the whole pack?

  Yes. These packs are toolboxes — not scripts. Practitioners may choose one core experience, a few enhancements, or only the vocabulary, depending on time, staffing and children’s needs.

• How does this support in-the-moment and child-led planning?

  Core Experiences are intentionally open-ended and revisited, creating space for children to lead the direction of learning. Observation slips, continuous provision notes and next-step suggestions feed directly into your OAP cycle.

• Do these packs replace my statutory EYFS planning?

  No. They support and align with the EYFS Statutory Framework and Development Matters. They help practitioners evidence intent, implementation and impact while keeping children’s play and relationships at the centre.

• Are these packs suitable for SEND and mixed communication needs?

  Yes. Each theme includes adjustments, visual supports, non-verbal participation options, sensory alternatives, and provision changes, so children can take part meaningfully at their level and pace.

• Do I need special resources or expensive equipment?

  No. Most experiences use natural, recycled or everyday materials. You can scale up or scale down depending on your setting.

• How long should a theme last?

  Each theme is designed for around 6 weeks, but core experiences may continue for much longer if children remain engaged — this signals depth, not delay.

• Can families be involved?

  Absolutely. Each pack includes a parent engagement sheet to strengthen home-school partnership and extend language and curiosity beyond the setting.

• What are 'core experiences'?

  Core Experiences are the “big, hands-on, memorable learning opportunities” that children return to repeatedly over a theme.

  They:

  • Are discovery-rich and child-led

  • Often take place outdoors or in large provision areas

  • Involve problem-solving, investigation and sensory engagement

  • Run across days or weeks — not single sessions

  • Are designed to provoke questions, wonder and deeper thinking

  • Offer multiple ways to access learning (SEND inclusive, non-verbal, exploratory)

  Examples:
  Minibeast hunt, ramp testing, boat floating, map making, habitat building.

  Purpose:
  Core experiences anchor the curriculum in real play, becoming the spark for:

  ➡ spontaneous child questions
  ➡ in-the-moment teachable moments
  ➡ new provision enhancements
  ➡ long-term fascination

  These are the “curriculum lived” — not curriculum delivered.

• What are 'adult-led mini session plans'?

  Adult-Led Mini Sessions are short, focussed learning opportunities facilitated by an adult to introduce, rehearse or deepen a concept.

  They:

  • Are brief (5–15 mins)

  • Target a learning intention (usually language, reasoning, or social interaction)

  • Prepare children for or extend meaning of core experiences

  • Provide opportunities for vocabulary, modelling, turn-taking and reflection

  • Support children who may not access learning fully through provision alone

  Examples:
  Sorting animals, food chain story, movement like animals, building a nest with testing.

  Purpose:
  Adult-led sessions enable practitioners to gently guide new knowledge (e.g., what “habitat” means, how classification works, storytelling sequence).

  ➡ They scaffold, but do not replace play.

• Are practitioners expected to do all adult-led mini sessions?

  Practitioners can use all the sessions, choose the most relevant, or adapt them based on children’s interests and needs. Core experiences remain “continuous,” while adult-led sessions are “as needed.”

  ✔ Core Experiences — Big, open, hands-on investigations that children return to through play.
  ✔ Mini Session Plans — Short, focussed adult-led teaching moments to introduce or deepen idea, vocabulary or skill.

  🌱 You do not need to complete every adult-led session. Choose what suits your children, respond to their fascinations, and use these resources flexibly to support your observation–assessment–planning cycle.

Recommended next read Selection

Or read our ‘Little Owls Resources’ Curriculum Intent Statement’

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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Find our more about our Professional guidance for confident, reflective EYFS practice (Birth–5)

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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