Physical Curriculum

Hungerford Nursery School Centre for Children and Families

Everyone Matters – Be the Best you can be –

All Learn: All Lead: All Achieve

Physical Development 

The EYFS 2021 states that the educational programmes must involve activities and experiences for children as set out under the area of learning:

"Physical activity is vital in children’s all-round development, enabling them to pursue happy, healthy and active lives. Gross and fine motor experiences develop incrementally throughout early childhood, starting with sensory explorations and the development of a child’s strength, co-ordination and positional awareness through tummy time, crawling and play movement with both objects and adults. By creating games and providing opportunities for play both indoors and outdoors, adults can support children to develop their core strength, stability, balance, spatial awareness, co-ordination and agility. Gross motor skills provide the foundation for developing healthy bodies and social and emotional well-being. Fine motor control and precision helps with hand-eye co-ordination, which is later linked to early literacy. Repeated and varied opportunities to explore and play with small world activities, puzzles, arts and crafts and the practice of using small tools, with feedback and support from adults, allow children to develop proficiency, control and confidence."

Intent of Physical Development Curriculum

We recognise that physical development supports the children across all that they experience. We ensure that we provide activities that require appropriate physical challenge, with adequate space both indoors and outside to set up their self-chosen learning opportunities. We ensure that all children participate in gross and fine motor activities, using a variety of equipment, to develop these skills. It is important that children are introduced to the language of movement when performing actions. We promote independent self-care at all times. We believe that children should be given opportunities to challenge themselves as we know that strong physical skills also boosts children's self esteem and confidence.