The idea of building your own curriculum in the early years is something that has become a hot topic recently. This has partly been driven by the EYFS reforms from 2021, and also from the Ofsted Inspection Framework in which settings are judged less on their data and more on the what and why of teaching at their setting.
This has led to promotion of ‘one size fits all’ type curriculum packages and many discussions on social media where people are sharing their curriculum or asking others to share theirs. However, these all ignore something fundamental about a curriculum – that it should be created for the children at your setting. At the recent Nursery World Conference (Developing a curriculum for your children to thrive), this was the golden thread that ran through all the talks.
A child-led approach
Good practice in curriculum design empowers children to take ownership of their learning journey. By incorporating child-led activities, educators encourage curiosity and exploration, fostering a deeper understanding of concepts. This approach is supported by research[i], which shows that children who are actively engaged, experience higher levels of motivation and self-directed learning. Child-led activities enhance problem-solving skills and creativity, laying the foundation for lifelong learning.
Building your own curriculum might seem overwhelming but focus on what ‘curriculum’ means, that is to say, what we want children to learn, and you may well find that you have been thinking about this for years! Use your knowledge of each child and family in your current cohort. Involve everyone at the setting and consider how the strengths and interests of individual educators can help to shape the curriculum – and don’t forget to reflect on the good practice already happening.
When designing your curriculum the Education Programmes for each of the areas are a great starting point, but they are in no way exhaustive of what can be taught, nor how to teach it. Using an ‘All About Me’ page, you can learn from the family about the child before they have even started. Combined with visits, you can build the curriculum around their interests, helping them to expand their skills, not just with themes they love, but by weaving in links to other areas too. In this way you can design a child-led provision that meets their interests and supports their developmental needs.
A culturally responsive curriculum
Inclusivity plays a pivotal role in designing a curriculum that embraces diversity and fosters empathy. By incorporating materials and resources that represent a variety of lived experiences, educators create an inclusive and supportive learning environment. During the Nursery World Conference, I attended a workshop by Caprice Fox, where she talked about how embracing a culturally responsive curriculum enhances children's self-esteem and strengthens their understanding of diverse perspectives. By weaving cultural content into the curriculum, educators encourage an appreciation for diversity, which is essential in preparing children to thrive in a globally interconnected world.
Your curriculum needs to be designed to give your cohort of children the best chance to become well rounded citizens, able to take on whatever lies ahead for them in the world. What your curriculum looks like could be very different to another setting, even those in the same local area, because all children are unique. It is important that when children enter their setting they see themselves represented – meaning not just their interests, but also their cultural backgrounds.
An evidence informed approach
For me, one of the most important takeaways from the conference was the significance of evidence-informed practice. Educators were encouraged to combine research findings with their professional experience to shape an effective curriculum. Resources like the EEF Early Years Toolkit[ii] and Evidence Store[iii] provide valuable insights into evidence-based interventions that boost learning outcomes. Combining evidence and experience ensures that the curriculum is aligned with the latest research and best practices in early childhood education.
Designing a curriculum that truly engages and nurtures young minds requires a thoughtful and personalised approach.
Child-led activities, inclusivity, and evidence-informed practices are pillars of a successful curriculum that unlocks children's potential and fosters a lifelong love for learning. Although we can always learn from colleagues, our curriculum needs to meet the needs of the children in our setting. By embracing this approach, educators can help empower each child to reach their full potential and contribute positively to the world around them.
Ben Case is education advisor for Tapestry and the Foundation Stage Forum. He was previously a primary school teacher for more than more than years.
[i] An Alternative Approach to School Development: the children are the evidence; Mary Jane Drummond & Susan Hart, with Mandy Swann; page 8 P128 FORUM Volume 55, Number 1, 2013
https://learningwithoutlimits.educ.cam.ac.uk/downloads/creatinglwl_forumarticle.pdf
[ii] EEF Early Years Toolkit Accessed 2nd August 2023
[iii] What Works for Children’s Social Care, Evidence Store Accessed 2nd August 2023
