British Values & Early Years Curriculum

British Values &
Early Years Curriculum

Since 2014 it is an OFSTED requirement to demonstrate how we actively promote ‘British Values’ within the setting.

Our Day Nursery believes that the best start in life for your child incorporates the core four values that will underpin their behaviours as they develop. These four core values are detailed below.

Democracy

British Values & Early Years Curriculum - Our Day Nursery provides an environment where everyone feels equal and listened to. We aim to provide children with the tools and confidence to make a decision themselves and as part of a group.

We support children asking questions and expressing their ideas and opinions by having a Children’s Nursery Association. In addition to conversations held during play, we regularly sit down with the children and ask them open-ended questions about their experiences at nursery and what might improve it. They will then see their answers put into action.

How do we achieve this?

At circle time, we model respecting and listening to our peers when discussing items of importance, such as reading from their ‘Weekend Book’ where they can add entries detailing special memories, trips or occasions. To help the children further understand respecting each other, we incorporate lots of sharing activities into their play.

Democracy is encouraged and demonstrated throughout the day by providing children with choices that will give them an element of control within certain sessions each day. This could be the book we read at storytime or the type of messy play we have out for them.

Rule of Law

British Values & Early Years Curriculum - Each room at Our Day Nursery collectively creates a set of ‘golden rules’, which the children help form, giving them a sense of ownership. This encourages both the children and our team members to follow the rules.

How do we achieve this?

Self-regulation is an important life skill for all to learn, which is why we are committed to providing opportunities to develop this. Yoga, mindfulness and relaxation are ways in which we promote this at Our Day Nursery. We have regular in-class yoga sessions and times throughout the day where the children practice moments of relaxation and mindfulness to gather thoughts and reset.

The preschool room has a ‘Thoughts Tree’ where the children are encouraged to ask a team member to write down their feelings on a post-it note. They place it on the tree or pick a face depicting how they feel and stick it on there. At circle time, the teacher will discuss some of the feelings displayed on the tree, highlighting that it is ok to feel these emotions and provide extra support to those who need it.

Individual Liberty

British Values & Early Years Curriculum - We allow children the freedom to take risks and develop their self-knowledge and self-esteem to feel confident in their abilities. Furthermore, by acknowledging the different cultures of the children within each room and helping to celebrate their festivals, we actively support the children’s understanding of their individuality and the individuality of those around them.

How do we achieve this?

We base the children’s learning on their interests and the freedom to learn naturally. We gather information in several ways by ‘being in the moment’ with the children. When we put down the pen and paper so that we’re fully involved in their play, we can sit back and listen to see when they need support or encouragement. This allows us to gather the information we need to further their learning and understand where we can provide additional opportunities to take risks and build up knowledge, self-esteem and confidence.

We also have All About Me sheets, Wow Moments, Weekend Diaries, Room Mascots and Parent Observations, all providing insights into what they do outside of the nursery environment. The activities or behaviour we do not see, how they spend time with their families, and who their families are build a picture of each child, helping us provide further opportunities to enhance their learning.

Mutual Respect and Tolerance

British Values & Early Years Curriculum - We talk to the children regularly about treating others as they would want to be treated. We support the children by modelling respectful relationships and behaviours, helping them to understand how their actions make others feel.

How do we achieve this?

We have an inclusive environment where we celebrate all cultures and festivals of the children within the room. In addition, we celebrate our individuality, promote diverse attitudes and challenge stereotypes, which contributes to developing mutual respect and tolerant behaviour.