Government and Curriculum Framework
Birth to 3 Matters
A curriculum for the under 3s has been compiled under the Government's "Surestart" Scheme.
How the Framework is organised
The Framework takes as its focus the child and steers away from subjects, specific areas of experience and distinct curriculum headings.
It identifies four Aspects, which celebrate the skill and competence of babies and young children and highlights the interrelationship
between growth, learning, development and the environment in which they are cared for and educated.
These four 'Aspects' are:
A Strong Child
A Skilful Communicator
A Competent Learner
A Healthy Child
Each Aspect is divided into four Components. See table below.
| Aspects | Components | |||
| A strong child | Me, myself and I | Being acknowledged and affirmed | Developing self-assurance | A sense of belonging |
| A skilful communicator | Being together | Finding a voice | Listening and responding | Making meaning |
| A competent learner | Making connections | Being imaginative | Being creative | Representing |
| A healthy child | Emotional wellbeing | Growing and developing | Keeping safe | Healthy choices |
Early Learning Goals
The Foundation Stage of Early Learning Goals applies to children age 3-5 years after which age they are normally admitted to the reception class of an infant or primary school.
Early Learning Goals relate to six areas of learning:
Personal, social and emotional development.
Communication, language and literacy.
Mathematical development.
Knowledge and understanding of the world.
Physical development.
Creative development.
Stepping Stones
Stepping Stones show the knowledge, skills, understanding and attitudes that children need to learn during the Foundation Stage in order to achieve the
Early Learning Goals.
They are not age related and children will normally develop more quickly in some aspects of the Early Learning Goals than others. Also, whilst the Stepping Stones are presented in hierarchical order, not all children conform so neatly to this sequence of learning. However, most children do achieve the Early Learning Goals and Stepping Stones enabling the parent and nursery practitioner to observe any areas of weakness and take remedial action in good time.
How SOUND Foundations relates to Birth to 3 Matters and Early
Learning Goals
The Government, through the DFEE (Department for Education and Employment), has introduced two curriculum frameworks for children of nursery age,
ie 0-5 years.
They are:
Birth to 3 Matters for 0-3 year olds (part of the Surestart programme)
Early Learning Goals Foundation Stage for 3-5 year olds
Both provide guidelines and methods for measuring a child's development in the years preceding infant or primary school.
SOUND Foundations is a practical programme which trains nursery practitioners in best practice to enable the children in their care to achieve the standards set by Birth to 3 Matters and Early Learning Goals.
Your keyworker will be pleased to explain your child's progress in both frameworks with reference to his or her Development Folder.