Our Curriculum

You can click on the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework, OP&L, Birth to Five Matters and Development Matters to find out more information.

At Tanglewood our curriculum always starts with the child and their family and is built on the foundation of the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework.

Our curriculum is enhanced by highly qualified, skilled and experienced staff , who in their quality interactions , follow the child’s lead and support learning. We use play as a vehicle for learning and follow the principles of the 'In the Moment Planning' approach in our responses. The staff know that every second counts and they are constantly ‘teaching’ and developing children’s ideas using an enriching environment that is accessible for all.

We strive to ensure that all children have access to a curriculum that meets each individual need, we use BEYA's OP&L (Observation of Play and Learning) Assessment, Birth to Five Matters and Development Matters to make certain that our pedagogy reflects current research and practice, and supports both staff and families to make a difference and have an impact on every child's outcomes.

“Children learn as they play. More importantly, in play, children learn how to learn”

(Tanglewood Staff, January 2018)

The seven areas of learning

Our curriculum covers all seven areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Prime areas

• Communication and Language: stories, songs, rhymes and conversation, supported by our Rainbow Room speech and language specialists.
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development: building confidence, friendships, managing feelings and learning routines.
• Physical Development: climbing, balancing and riding in our garden and forest, as well as fine motor skills such as mark making and cutting.

Specific areas

• Literacy: a love of books through our library, mark making and early phonological awareness.
• Mathematics: number, shape, pattern and measure explored through play, cooking and outdoor learning.
• Understanding the World: nature and seasons in the Forest Garden, people and communities, and technology.
• Expressive Arts and Design: painting, junk modelling, music, dance and imaginative role play.

Religious education and cultures

As a maintained nursery school we deliver the EYFS, which does not require religious education to be taught as a separate subject. Children learn about different faiths, festivals and cultures through Understanding the World, stories and celebrations that reflect our families. Parents may ask to withdraw their child from any religious celebration; please speak to the Headteacher.

Relationships education

Relationships education is delivered through the EYFS area of Personal, Social and Emotional Development, which covers making friends, kindness, feelings and keeping safe. We do not deliver a separate relationships education programme.

Curriculum enquiries

For more information about our curriculum, contact Donna MacDonald, Deputy Headteacher, at admin@tanglewood.essex.sch.uk or on 01245 352788.