Young children thrive and their minds and bodies develop best when they have free access to stimulating indoor and outdoor environments for learning through play and real life experiences.

Not all children learn if they are put in a classroom environment at such an early age, as there are too many pressures on a child if they are put in that situation. At Jitterbugs all our activities incorporate the seven areas of learning, which are learnt through play to help them towards achieving the early learning goals within the foundation stage, which is the start of a child’s education. Which is then followed by Key stage 1 etc. The Areas of Learning and Development.

There are Seven areas of development. These are divided into two areas known as ‘Prime’ and ‘Specific’.

The 3 Prime Areas are:-

• Communication and Language
• Physical
• Personal, Social and Emotional

The 4 Specific Areas are:-

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the World
• Expressive arts and design

Educational programmes will focus on activities and experiences for children, as follows.

Communication and Language Development:-involves giving children opportunities to experience a rich language environment; to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves; and to speak and listen in a range of situations.

Physical Development:-involves providing opportunities for young children to be active and interactive; and to develop their co-ordination, control, and movement. Children must also be helped to understand the importance of physical activity and to make healthy choices in relation to food.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development:-involves helping children to develop a positive sense of themselves and others; to form positive relationships and develop respect for others; to develop social skills and learn how to manage their feelings; to understand appropriate behaviour in groups; and to have confidence in their own abilities.

Literacy Development:-involves encouraging children to link sounds and letters and to begin to read and write. Children must be given access to a wide range of reading materials (books, poems and other written materials) to ignite their interest.

Mathematics:-involves providing children with opportunities to develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems; and to describe shapes, spaces and measures.

Understanding the World:-involves guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and their environment.

Expressive Arts and Design:-involves enabling children to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials; as well as providing opportunities and encouragement for sharing their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role-play and design and technology.