Introducing learning at a young age

As educators we all know that the first five years of a child’s life are crucial. 80 per cent of the brain develops during that time, so it’s vital that young learners engage actively in a child-centred, play-based programme that helps them to develop awareness and control over their own thinking, learning and emotions.

The new Cambridge Early Years programme was developed in collaboration with trusted early years experts and based on research so it reflects the very latest educational thinking. The approach is built around these key principles:

• Learning should complement the social and cultural factors (like experiences of home and community) that shape a child’s learning and development.

• Children should be actively involved in their own learning, and helped to develop competence, responsibility, confidence and self-worth.

• Learning should balance physical, cognitive, language and communication, and social and emotional development.

• Learning should be age appropriate, play based and child centred. It should include both child- and adult-led activities.

• Early years education should help children transition successfully to primary school, moving from informal, play-based learning to teaching that is more formal.

The Cambridge Early Years Curriculum

The programme balances physical, cognitive, social & emotional, and language & communication development. Learning follows a spiral approach that ensures topics and skills are revisited and elaborated in more depth to gain the right knowledge, understanding and skills. The structure of the curriculum allows schools to meet each child’s individual needs and meet internationally established milestones for early development.

Six curriculum areas

There are six subject areas to guide and support early years teaching: Communication, language and literacy: Speaking, listening, reading and writing are crucial to a child’s early development. Teaching and learning with fun activities and a range of texts allows children to experience and engage with the importance of language.

Creative expression: This important curriculum area brings together skills and cognitive processes from across the whole curriculum, allowing children to communicate their ideas and develop their imagination through art and design, music, dance and drama.

Mathematics: At an early age, it’s important to help children recognise how mathematics impacts everyday life. Through games and activities, we can introduce children to mathematical language, thinking and concepts that they will need when they start their primary education.

Physical development: The curriculum encourages children to develop movement skills through play, helping them to build positive attitudes towards exercise and laying the foundations for healthy, active lives.

Personal, social and emotional development: This area underpins children’s well-being and attainment. It helps them to develop social learning and friendships, regulate their emotional responses and respond to the needs of others, and develop self-esteem and confidence.

Understanding the world: Children’s natural curiosity must be encouraged, so that they are equipped to reflect, question, explore and interact with the world around them. This area of the curriculum lays foundations for a range of different subjects in primary education and beyond, including science, digital literacy, history, geography and religious education.

Learn more

Cambridge Early Years supports and encourages young learners to develop independently at their own pace and transition smoothly into Cambridge Primary, or the next stage in their education.

Cambridge Early Years