When Ofsted asks you to explain your curriculum, they are looking for clarity on how your setting plans, implements, and evaluates children’s learning experiences. The focus is not just on what children are taught, but also on how and why these learning experiences are designed. Here’s a breakdown of what you should cover:
1. Intent: What Do You Want Children to Learn?
This is where you explain the overall aims of your curriculum – what knowledge, skills, and behaviours you want children to develop. Ofsted wants to see that you have thought carefully about what children in your setting need to learn and why. For example, if you work in an area where speech and language skills are a particular concern, your curriculum should focus on activities that support language development.
Key considerations:
- Does your curriculum cater to the needs and interests of the children in your care?
- How does your curriculum reflect the statutory Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework?
- Are you ambitious for all children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
2. Implementation: How Do You Deliver the Curriculum?
Here, you need to explain how your curriculum is brought to life. This includes the day-to-day activities, the resources you use, and the role adults play in supporting children’s learning. Ofsted will want to see that your curriculum is not only well-planned but is also flexible enough to respond to the unique needs and interests of individual children.
Key points to cover:
- How do you adapt learning experiences to meet the needs of all children, including those attending part-time?
- How do staff support children’s learning – do they follow a child-led approach or combine it with adult-guided activities?
- What resources do you use, and how do these promote development across the prime areas of learning? For example, during snack time, you could highlight how children practise mathematical skills by sharing food or discussing portions.
3. Impact: How Do You Measure Learning?
Ofsted will want to know how you evaluate whether children are making progress. This involves observing children, assessing their development, and adapting your approach based on these observations. Your assessment should help you identify gaps in learning and provide additional support where needed.
Important questions:
- How do you know that children are learning what you set out to teach?
- How do you track and record children’s progress?
- What changes do you make if a child is not progressing as expected?
4. Tailoring to Your Setting
Your curriculum should reflect the specific needs of your setting. For example, if you have access to outdoor space, you might incorporate nature walks or forest play into your curriculum. Likewise, if your setting includes many children with English as an Additional Language (EAL), your curriculum should incorporate strategies to support language development.
5. Involving Parents
It’s important to involve parents in the curriculum as well. Ofsted will want to see how you communicate with families about their child’s learning and how parents can support learning at home. This can include sharing curriculum information through newsletters, parent apps, or regular meetings.
Conclusion
When Ofsted asks you to explain your curriculum, they are looking for a well-rounded approach that is clearly planned (intent), effectively delivered (implementation), and thoroughly evaluated (impact). Make sure your curriculum reflects the unique needs of the children in your care and that your staff are actively involved in adapting and enhancing learning experiences.
By following this structure, you can confidently explain your curriculum in a way that demonstrates its effectiveness and relevance to Ofsted.
