About | Curriculum

We provide a broad and balanced curriculum which covers the Six Areas of Learning for the Foundation stage of learning, as identified by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. The Foundation stage is for children aged between 3 and 5 years and prepares children for learning at Key Stage 1. We are firm believers in 'making learning fun' and the curriculum is delivered via plenty of practical, play-based activities. We plan these activities within the six areas of learning as follows:

Communication, language and Literacy

To enhance language development the children enjoy regular group games, stories, and speaking and listening activities. The children actively participate in 'circle time' and are encouraged to discuss stories, relate them to their personal experiences and predict the endings. The thematic approach teaches the children lots of new vocabulary, and learning the alphabet is made exciting and fun by using the Jolly Phonics Scheme. The school also has an extensive library, giving the children ample opportunity to look at books, learn to handle them appropriately, and perhaps most importantly, to enjoy them.

Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy

Counting skills and calculating, number for labels and for counting, and shape, space and measurement are introduced through fun, group-based activities and the use of practical apparatus such as sand and water play and construction toys. The children are given the opportunity to develop their problem-solving skills using mathematical ideas and methods and are taught a range of strategies for addition and subtraction. Relevant activities include matching, sorting, sequencing, recreating simple patterns, and learning to recognise and describe basic shapes.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Pre-schools are ideal places to make friends and develop relationships with both children and adults. This special social environment is designed to be friendly and fun and involves working together, sharing ideas and experiences. Developing social skills is a major part of our programme and the children are encouraged to be independent whilst also learning to cooperate and work well within a group. Each child is made to feel special and is respected as an individual. All the classes practise the 'Little Gems Code' which teaches the children to respect their friends and to practise good manners. The classes also come together for an assembly once a week, which gives the children a real sense of being a part of the school as a whole.

Physical Development

In order to develop their Gross Motor Skills the children are taught to move with control, co-ordination, confidence and imagination. This is achieved in a variety of ways through the use large toys and PE equipment, such as cars, bicycles, hoops and balls; and through regular dance and movement sessions. For the development of fine-motor skills our children learn pencil control, complete pre-writing patterns, and use a range of small (and large) pieces of equipment such as puzzles, construction toys, safety scissors, play dough and threading and lacing activities.

Creative Development

The children take part in a wide range of arts and crafts using a variety of materials, giving them the opportunity to explore colour, texture, shape and space. They are encouraged to express and communicate their ideas, thoughts and feelings. Creative development is also explored through imaginative role play, stories, dance and movement. The children enjoy singing every day, and are taught new songs relating to the current theme. Musical instruments teach the children to recognise repeated sounds and sound patterns, and to match movements to music.

Knowledge and Understanding of the World

Each class covers two different topics each term, which provide a wealth of opportunity for social interaction, language development and creative expression. Parents are encouraged to get involved by sending in objects of related interest and discussing the themes and singing the songs at home. The topics usually culminate in a theme party, or for the older children, field trips to places of relevant interest. The children are also introduced to information and communication technology, with the nursery and Reception classes having daily access to a computer and enjoying a variety of educational software.

For a more detailed summary of our curriculum please go to the Pre-Nursery, Nursery or Reception page and click on 'Curriculum'.
For more detailed information on the Six Areas of Learning and the Foundation Stage please visit http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/earlyyears.

In addition to the British Curriculum we offer Arabic lessons to children age 3 and above. These take place on a daily basis with a Bahraini teacher and are available for children of any nationality who wish to take part (although preference is given to Arab Nationals).

From Foundation Stage 1 (Nursery) onwards we differentiate between the children and assign them different literacy and numeracy targets according to their individual abilities. We also recognise that the children in Pre-Nursery develop in different areas at different rates and each classroom is equipped with a wide range of educational and small world play toys to suit the varying levels. Emphasis at this stage is placed on personal and emotional development, social skills and language development. The older pre-nursery children are also introduced to pre-reading and writing activities and phonics in the last term to prepare them for Foundation Stage 1. We aim to have the large majority of pre-nursery children completely potty trained by the end of the year.

Children with special needs are welcomed at Little Gems provided we have the staff and facilities to meet those needs; they are encouraged to integrate with the other children at all levels.