7 Areas of Learning

In the Early Years, children explore seven key areas of learning and development. Each area helps children grow, play, and learn in fun and meaningful ways.

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Prime Areas of Learning

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Prime Areas of Learning ☆

Communication & Language
This area helps children learn to listen, focus, follow instructions, and express themselves with confidence. We support this through stories, songs, role play, group discussions, and everyday conversations, giving children plenty of opportunities to share ideas, respond to others, and communicate their needs.
Physical
Development
Children develop both gross motor skills (running, climbing, balancing) and fine motor skills (cutting, drawing, holding a pencil). We provide indoor and outdoor opportunities for active play, as well as activities to strengthen coordination and control. Alongside this, children learn about healthy choices, such as eating well and keeping active.
Personal, Social and
Emotional Development (PSED)
Children learn best when they feel safe, secure, and happy. This area supports them in building friendships, developing confidence, and managing feelings. Through play, group activities, and positive role modelling, we help children learn how to share, take turns, handle challenges, and understand how to behave in different situations.

Specific Areas of Learning

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Specific Areas of Learning ✬

During their Early Years journey, your child will explore and be assessed across seven areas of learning and development. Each area builds important life skills and is supported through play, exploration, and meaningful experiences.

Understanding
the World
This area encourages children to explore the world around them — past, present, and future. Through nature walks, family stories, cultural celebrations, and hands-on use of technology, children discover similarities and differences in people, places, and communities. These experiences help them build curiosity, respect, and an awareness of their place in the wider world.
Mathematics
Maths is about making sense of numbers, patterns, and the world around us. We support children by exploring counting, sorting, shapes, measuring, and comparing through play and real-life experiences. Whether it’s weighing ingredients, building with blocks, or spotting patterns in nature, children learn to apply maths in fun, meaningful ways.
Literacy
Literacy is about much more than reading and writing. Children develop a love for books by sharing stories, hearing new words, and retelling what they’ve heard. We encourage mark-making, writing for real purposes (like shopping lists), and playful activities that help children connect sounds, words, and meaning, building their confidence as readers and writers.
Expressive Arts and Design
This area gives children the freedom to explore their creativity and imagination. Through music, dance, pretend play, art, and storytelling, we encourage them to experiment with ideas and materials. Children are supported to express themselves in their own way, whether that’s through painting, building, singing, or inventing their own stories.