The GNS Curriculum: Nurturing Every Child to Thrive

At GNS, we believe that every child deserves to feel loved, valued and understood. Our curriculum is built on strong, trusting relationships and a deep belief in the potential of every learner. From the moment children join us, whenever that may be, we welcome them with warmth, care and a commitment to helping them grow into confident, curious and independent learners.

A Curriculum Shaped Around Each Unique Child

We know that every child is on their own learning journey. Children come to us at different times of the year, with different experiences and different needs. Our curriculum is therefore flexible and responsive, shaped around each child’s starting point and continually adapted to ensure they make progress from where they are.

Termly overviews show how we plan to ensure children move through our progressive curriculum. However, these are adapted to meet the needs of the current cohort. Staff engage in professional dialogue and reflective practice to meet children’s individual needs, assess outcomes, and plan next steps. Through careful observation and strong knowledge of child development, our staff tailor learning so that every child can know more, remember more and do more. We hold high expectations for all children, including those who may face additional barriers, and we work closely with families to ensure every child has the chance to achieve their full potential.

 

High-Quality Early Years Education

We are passionate about providing an environment where children feel safe to explore, investigate and express themselves. Our curriculum is based on the HighScope philosophy, placing active learning at the heart of everything we do. Children learn best when they are fully involved, so we prioritise purposeful play, hands-on experiences, and opportunities to make choices.

Our daily plan–do–review cycle helps children feel secure, supported and in control of their learning. The predictable routine builds confidence, independence and deeper understanding as children make meaningful links in their play.

A Strong Focus on Communication

We know how important vocabulary and communication are for future learning. Children arrive with very different levels of language exposure, so we plan carefully to introduce rich, varied and ambitious vocabulary. Through stories, talk and shared experiences, we help every child become a confident communicator who can make sense of the world around them.

Broad, Balanced and Meaningful Learning

Our curriculum is rooted in real experiences and follows a natural yearly cycle of seasons, celebrations and changes in the world around us. These themes allow children to explore key skills including:

• Listening and speaking
• Investigation and problem-solving
• Physical development
• Emotional understanding
• Early mathematical concepts
• New vocabulary and language structures

As children move through the nursery classes, they revisit and build on these skills, ensuring a clear progression from our two-year-old room to their transition into reception (FS2). By Term 6, learning focusses on human growth, feelings and preparing for the transition to primary school, helping children move on with confidence and excitement. We work very closely with all feeder schools to ensure a smooth and successful transition to primary school.

Working Together with Families

We believe that children flourish when we work in partnership with their families. Our team offers warmth, professional love and strong support to help every child settle, feel secure and grow.