The quality of a child’s education undoubtedly has a lasting impact on the rest of their life. But how important are their first three years at school?
A child’s early years are the foundation for their future development, providing a strong base for lifelong learning abilities, including cognitive and social development. The quality of a child’s education in the first few years of life, has a lasting effect on their school life and beyond.
Importance of Early Years Education
90% of a child’s brain develops by age 5. Research shows that the brain connections required for many important higher-level abilities are formed during this time. This scientific consensus is supported by a recent report from the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, led by the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, who consider it to be the most pivotal age for development, future health and happiness.
Many educators, including our early years specialists, agree with this philosophy and that nursery and reception are the ideal time to start a challenging, accelerated curriculum. The reason being that younger minds learn much faster.
However, in the recent study by the Royal Foundation, it was noted that there is a significant proportion of UK parents of a 0-5-year-old (69%) who underestimate the critical importance of the early years.
Positive experiences in your child’s first three years of school can benefit them in developing social skills and their ability to learn which will set them up for life. Research by Durham University and the Department for Education suggests pupils in the ‘most effective’ Reception classes can expect to earn between £2,000 and £7,500 more on average than their peers in less effective settings. This is why the school selection process is so important.
Development is not an automatic process, it depends on each unique child being given opportunities to interact in positive relationships and enabling environments. Therefore it is paramount that all learning activities are carefully planned, well-structured and supported, within enabling environments to ensure that all children have appropriate experiences, which will allow every child to move from nursery, to reception and beyond with confidence, social awareness and a readiness for learning.
Early Years at Holmwood House
At Holmwood House, our Early Years children learn in an environment that is full of wonder, energy and enthusiasm. Each child’s development is individually encouraged as they explore, allowing their knowledge and skills to grow. Our carefully planned, bespoke curriculum is centred around literature and numeracy; it is enriched with specialist teaching in French, music, swimming, PE, and racket lessons, all of which help children build their confidence and important skills to accelerate their learning.
Head, Mr Bond, says ” I feel strongly that at Holmwood a child experiences outstanding teaching and learning, the very best curriculum delivery and super pastoral care from the very beginning of their journey with us.”
Reception teacher, Mrs Wild, says “In the Early Years we are helping the children develop a love of learning which will shape their attitude to education as they grow. We aim to inspire and excite the children as we introduce new topics – helping them to learn about the amazing world around us. ”
Exciting News
We have recently taken the exciting decision to are expanding our Pre-School provision on our Lexden site. To find out more about Early Years at Holmwood House, please book a visit to come and see us for yourselves.
Categories: News Category 1