There are an additional four specific areas, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied.The specific areas are:

  • literacy;

  • mathematics;

  • understanding the world; and

  • expressive arts and design.

 

Within each area there are a number of “early learning goals” for the children to work towards.  We include a full range of comprehensive activities incorporating all areas of learning and development and take account of each child’s needs when planning the curriculum.

 

Topics covered by children within the classroom are stimulating, fun, age appropriate platforms through which learning objectives are delivered.

 

As EYFS is applicable for children 0-5 years of age, for children aged 5-6 years, the British National Curriculum is applied and teachers will work towards preparing the children for entrance exams for Standard 1 at various Primary Schools in Eldoret and around.

 

When planning children’s activities at Busy Bumbles, our practitioners also keep in mind the different ways that children learn and this is in effect reflected in their practice. Three characteristics of effective learning in the EYFS are:

 

 

• Playing and exploring - children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’;

 

• Active learning - children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties, and enjoy achievements; and

 

• Creating and thinking critically - children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas, and develop   strategies for doing things.

 

 

We incorporate the following Montessori methods:

 

  • We teach self-reliance and independence. This teaching method helps the children become independent by teaching him or her life skills, which is called practical life. Montessori children learn to dress themselves, help clear up after meal time, put their toys and clothes away and take an active part in their household, neighbourhood and school.

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  •  For young children Montessori is a hands on approach to learning. It encourages children to develop their observation skills by doing many types of activities. These activities include use of the five senses, kinetic movement, spatial refinement, small and large motor skill coordination, and concrete knowledge that leads to later abstraction.

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  • In a Montessori environment, the teacher prepares and presents the materials needed for the child to carry out his/her great work, and offers them to the child in the form of individual or small group presentations. Once an initial presentation or lesson has been given the activities are freely chosen and frequently repeated according to a child's needs.

Our Nursery School curriculum is based around the British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and incorporating methods from Montessori. The EYFS framework is a child-centred framework with four underlying themes.

 

The four themes are:

  • A unique child

  • Positive relationships

  • Enabling environments

  • Learning and development

 

The EYFS curriculum is organised around seven areas of learning and development, all of which are important and inter-connected. Three areas are particularly crucial for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive.

 

These three areas (called the prime areas) are:

  • communication and language;

  • physical development; and

  • personal, social and emotional development.

 

 

OUR CURRICULUM