Understanding the World
Intent
At Alkerden CE Academy Nursery, we believe that children are naturally curious and eager to make sense of the world around them. Our Understanding the World curriculum nurtures this curiosity by providing rich, first-hand experiences that encourage children to explore, ask questions, investigate and make connections between their home, school and the wider community.
We recognise that every child arrives with unique experiences, interests and knowledge shaped by their family, culture and community. We value these experiences and use them as the starting point for learning, enabling children to develop a strong sense of belonging while broadening their understanding of the diverse world in which they live. Through meaningful experiences, children begin to appreciate similarities and differences between people, places, cultures and environments, developing respect, empathy and an understanding of the importance of caring for each other and the world around them.
Our curriculum is carefully sequenced to reflect children's developing understanding. Learning begins with what is familiar—the child, their family, their nursery and immediate environment—before extending to the local community, the natural world and the wider world beyond Alkerden. Through exploration, discussion and investigation, children develop the knowledge, vocabulary and confidence needed to become inquisitive, respectful and responsible learners.
Our curriculum reflects the three strands identified within the EYFS:
- Past and Present, where children begin to talk about their own lives, families and experiences and recognise that people's lives may be different from their own.
- People, Culture and Communities, where children learn about different families, traditions, celebrations, beliefs and communities, developing an appreciation of diversity and inclusion.
- The Natural World, where children investigate seasonal change, plants, animals, habitats and the environment through regular exploration and enquiry.
Through these experiences, children develop a sense of wonder about the world and begin to understand their place within it.
Implementation
Understanding the World is woven throughout our curriculum and daily provision. Children learn best through meaningful experiences, exploration and high-quality interactions with adults who encourage them to observe closely, ask questions and think critically. Our practitioners carefully build upon children's interests and prior experiences, ensuring that learning is relevant, engaging and progressive.
Learning begins with children's own experiences. Through conversations, family photographs, "All About Me" activities and opportunities to share special objects from home, children develop a strong sense of identity and belonging. They are encouraged to talk about their families, celebrations, traditions and experiences, while learning that every family is unique and equally valued.
As children become more confident, their understanding is extended beyond their immediate experiences. Through carefully planned topics, high-quality texts and purposeful discussions, children learn about the local community, including the people who help us, local landmarks and the role of different organisations within the surrounding area. Visits within the local community, along with visitors to Nursery, provide authentic opportunities for children to connect classroom learning with the real world.
Our Christian vision underpins the way we encourage children to value kindness, respect and inclusion. Alongside learning about Christian festivals and traditions, children explore celebrations and customs from a range of faiths and cultures represented within our school community, including Diwali, Eid, Lunar New Year, Vaisakhi, Christmas and Easter. These experiences help children recognise both the similarities and differences between communities, fostering respect and appreciation for diversity.
Language plays a central role in our curriculum. Through our Language of the Term, children learn simple greetings and vocabulary from languages spoken within our school community, helping them to recognise and celebrate the rich linguistic diversity of our families. Stories, songs, artefacts and photographs further enrich children's understanding of different cultures and ways of life.
Children develop an understanding of the natural world through daily outdoor learning and regular Forest School sessions. They explore seasonal changes, observe plants and animals, care for living things and investigate natural materials through first-hand experiences. Opportunities to plant seeds, grow vegetables, care for the environment and observe life cycles encourage children to become curious scientists while developing a sense of responsibility for the world around them. Adults model scientific vocabulary and encourage children to observe carefully, predict, compare and ask questions as they investigate.
Continuous provision is carefully designed to promote exploration and enquiry. Children have access to maps, globes, non-fiction books, natural objects, technology, construction materials, small world resources and artefacts that encourage them to investigate similarities and differences between people, places and environments. Practitioners extend learning through thoughtful questioning, encouraging children to explain their ideas, make connections and develop increasingly sophisticated vocabulary.
Strong partnerships with families are central to our curriculum. Initiatives such as Story Bear, family photographs, home learning opportunities and parental involvement in celebrations allow children to see meaningful connections between home and nursery. Parents are encouraged to share their languages, cultures, traditions and talents, enriching the curriculum and ensuring that every child's identity is recognised and celebrated.
Impact
By the time children leave Alkerden CE Academy Nursery, they are curious, confident and respectful learners who are eager to explore and understand the world around them. They have developed a secure sense of who they are, understand that people may have different beliefs, traditions and experiences, and demonstrate kindness, respect and empathy towards others.
Children confidently talk about their families, their community and the wider world, using an increasingly rich vocabulary to describe what they observe and experience. They recognise similarities and differences between themselves and others, showing an appreciation of the diversity within their nursery, local community and beyond.
Through regular exploration of the natural world, children develop an understanding of seasonal change, plants, animals and habitats, demonstrating curiosity by asking questions, making observations and discussing what they notice. They show care for living things and understand the importance of looking after their environment.
The impact of our curriculum is evident in children's enthusiasm for investigation, their willingness to ask questions and the confidence with which they talk about their experiences and discoveries. Ongoing observations, Development Matters assessments, floor books, learning journeys and children's conversations demonstrate clear progression from individual starting points. Strong partnerships with families further enrich children's learning and ensure that their cultures, languages and experiences are valued within Nursery.
Children leave Alkerden CE Academy Nursery with the knowledge, vocabulary and curiosity needed to make sense of the world around them. They are well prepared to continue exploring, questioning and learning as they move into Reception, equipped with the confidence to embrace new experiences and the understanding that they are valued members of both their local community and the wider world.