“Every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to fulfil their potential” (Statutory Framework for the Early Years, DfE, March 2021)

Across Nursery and Reception, our curriculum is designed around the 7 key areas of learning outlined in the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework:

Nursery

For many children starting Nursery, this is their first experience of attending an education provision. Therefore, the primary aim is to ensure that they settle in quickly and feel safe, happy and confident.  To enable this to happen, the teaching of Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) is particularly important; ensuring that children are explicitly taught routines, and how to play alongside others, helps them to feel confident in their new environment. 

In Nursery, the children are introduced to the 7 key areas of learning outlined in the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and they explore these through a carefully planned blend of adult-led, adult-initiated and child-initiated learning. 

Whilst all areas of the curriculum are important, there is also a particular emphasis on Communication and Language (C&L) - so that the children are able to fully engage with all aspects of the curriculum. 

Nursery Curriculum Intent

• PHPS Nursery Curriculum Intent.pdf

***The curriculum intent and approach to Nursery are currently under revision (2025/26)***

Reception

In Reception, the children continue to build on the 7 key areas of learning outlined in the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework.

However, whilst all areas are important, the school recognises that for our children, and in our context, there is a need to initially focus on ensuring that children are ready and able to learn (Personal, Social and Emotional Development [PSED] and the Characteristics of Effective Learning), and have the communication skills to engage with their learning (Communication and Language [C&L]). 

Therefore, our curriculum is specifically designed to focus heavily on helping children settle in, ensuring that they are ready and able to learn and also have the language skills to be successful.  These, along with the foundational skills of phonics, handwriting and Maths, are prioritised during the Autumn Term. 

As children grow more secure, we gradually introduce more time for other areas of learning so that, by the end of the year, children are thriving across the whole curriculum.

Our Reception Curriculum Intent (available below) reflects this emphasis on initially securing foundational skills and knowledge.

Reception Curriculum Intent

• PHPS Reception Curriculum Intent.pdf

Communication and Language 

As a school, we recognise that strong communication and language skills help children understand the world, express themselves, make friends, and enjoy stories and books – both during Reception and beyond.

Building these skills early gives children the best start for learning and growing confidently – especially important for children who might otherwise find it harder to catch up later.  It is also crucial that children needing help with communication and language are quickly identified and support is put in place to help them grow in confidence and thrive alongside their friends.

At Pirton Hill this is supported by all Reception children being screened on entry (Language Screen) and throughout the year through our Communication and Language Pathway: 

Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED)

As a school we believe that a familiar and structured routine is key to facilitating learning. Routines are vital to children’s feelings of security which is linked to their wellbeing and behaviour (by knowing what is expected of them, and for them). Routines also help to maximise learning time by children knowing the processes that they will go through each day without the need for adult intervention. Our routine aims to find the appropriate balance – for our children – between adult-led activities and child-initiated play (which allows the children to practice the skills that they have developed during adult-led activities).

Please spend a few minutes looking at the Behaviour Curriculum page for more information on our behaviour curriculum, which also includes emotional literacy. 

Other Useful Links

For information on:

• how we teach handwriting and writing, please visit the Writing at Pirton Hill page
• how we teach phonics and reading, please visit the Reading at Pirton Hill page
• how we teach Mathematics, please visit the Maths at Pirton Hill page
• how you can support at home, including homework, please visit the Homework at Pirton Hill page