Curriculum For Wales 2022

From September 2022 the curriculum in Wales is changing and like all schools in Wales a new curriculum will be introduced at the Ely and Caerau Children’s Centre. Centre has been preparing for these changes for many years with staff engaging in professional learning to ensure they understand the principles and pedagogy (the how and why of what we teach) associated with the new curriculum. Some staff have been engaged with the Welsh Government and were part of the design process for the guidance produced for all schools in Wales.

What is a Curriculum?

 The term ‘curriculum’ refers to everything we do as a school that helps children be, and become, healthy and confident, enterprising and creative, ambitious and capable and ethical and informed citizens. The term refers to what we will teach in our setting and the experiences we will offer but also to the decisions we make about how we will teach, and why. It is much broader than simply a list of subject content that we will cover. 

The Ely and Caerau Integrated Children's Centre Curriculum

In designing our curriculum, we  were very careful to consider the fact that we are an integrated children's centre and whilst we have followed the statutory guidelines of co-constructing a curriculum for our 3-4 year olds who access the nursery / meithrin education at the centre, our curriculum has been designed with the whole centre in mind. Babies, toddlers and families are very much a part of the curriculum offer.

We have paid due regard to the curriculum guidance, in particular the ‘Enabling Learning’ section which has been written to support the children who are in the period of learning prior to progression step 1

We have paid particular attention to the following key features 

• Play and play-based learning

• Being outdoors

• Observation

• Authentic and purposeful learning

The Centre Vision was created in consultation with all stakeholders. This included involvement with staff and governors through INSET days, meetings with parents and the community.

The Centre Vision was launched in July 2022

The Centre Curriculum Vision and Statement of Intent

Our Curriculum is designed around the 5 developmental pathways. The pathways are child-centred and are interdependent, having equal value in supporting overall development and progress. Our curriculum offer ensures progression from the pathways through to the descriptions of learning at Progression step 1 for all learners. 

 Our curriculum has been designed to enable our babies, children, staff and families to realise the four purposes. It takes account of and responds to the context of our learners and our community. Our curriculum is broad and balanced and provides learning opportunities within and across all five of the developmental pathways and the six areas of learning and experience. It encompasses all the concepts outlined in the ‘statements of what matters’. Our curriculum aligns to the mandatory requirements of teaching Welsh, English and Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE). The mandatory elements of Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) and the cross curricular skills of literacy, numeracy and digital competence are embedded throughout the curriculum.

Our Statement of Intent 

At the Ely and Caerau Children’s Centre, the curriculum is designed to….

• Support the children’s physical and emotional wellbeing

• Provide real life experiences and engaging opportunities to build confidence, independence and a love of learning

• Nurture talents and to be accessible to all

• Develop a sense of belonging, an awareness of the environment and an appreciation of our cultural differences.

• Encourage children to take risks, whilst becoming resilient.

• Develop a welcoming and nurturing environment to include families and community in the life of the Centre

• Acknowledge that children have rights, responsibilities and have a place in the world