Early level
Early education in particular adopts a holistic approach to young children's learning which responds to each child's changing developmental needs and values a child's prior knowledge from home.
Centres have the scope to reflect the individuality of their local communities and to respond by providing unique, high quality learning experiences for all their children.
From the outset, young children are partners in the learning process, actively participating in the planning, shaping and directing of their own learning. With sensitive adult support they will learn how to make good, informed choices and take responsibility for their own learning.
The early level serves a number of purposes. For most children it provides a framework for their work in pre-school years and Primary 1. For some young people with additional support needs, the early level provides a framework for learning and progression for much or all of their time in school.
Purpose of the curriculum in the pre-school stage
The purpose of the curriculum at this early stage is to support children in all aspects of their emotional, social, cognitive and physical development. It should enable them to become increasingly independent, responsible and eager to progress in their learning.
Staff in pre-school education achieve this through their skilled interaction with each child and by providing stimulating contexts for active learning, building upon the child's knowledge and skills and recognising their stage of development. They can build upon children's enthusiasm, inventiveness and creativity to plan learning activities which combine to achieve this purpose.
| Level | Stage |
|---|---|
| Early | Pre-school and P1, or later for some |
