Curriculum & Cultural Capital at Ash & Claire’s Childminding
At Ash & Claire’s Childminding, we are passionate about providing children with a rich, engaging, and well-rounded learning experience. Our approach focuses on both curriculum and cultural capital, ensuring children develop key skills while gaining valuable life experiences that support their future success.
Our Curriculum
A curriculum is the structured framework that guides children’s learning and development. At Ash & Claire’s Childminding, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which provides a strong foundation in key areas of learning, including:
✅ Personal, Social & Emotional Development – Encouraging confidence, empathy, and positive relationships.
✅ Communication & Language – Supporting speech development through conversation, storytelling, and songs.
✅ Physical Development – Promoting fine and gross motor skills through active play and creative activities.
✅ Mathematics – Introducing early numeracy through practical, play-based experiences.
✅ Understanding the World – Exploring nature, community, and real-world experiences.
✅ Expressive Arts & Creativity – Encouraging self-expression through art, music, and imaginative play.
Our curriculum is child-led and play-based, meaning we focus on activities that spark curiosity, encourage hands-on learning, and adapt to the unique interests and needs of each child. We believe learning should be fun, engaging, and full of opportunities to explore and discover!
We also prioritise daily outdoor experiences, whether it’s visiting local parks, exploring forests, or engaging in nature-based activities. These outings help develop physical skills, curiosity about the natural world, and an appreciation for outdoor play.
Additionally, we attend weekly toddler groups where children have the opportunity to interact with larger groups, fostering their social skills, confidence, and ability to engage in group activities. These sessions help children build friendships, practice sharing, and prepare for future school settings.
Alongside child-led play, we incorporate adult-led activities that introduce structured learning experiences. These may include:
Interactive storytelling sessions to enhance language development.
Simple science experiments to spark curiosity and problem-solving skills.
Cooking and baking activities to explore early maths and life skills.
Arts and crafts projects linked to seasons, cultural events, and creative exploration.
Cultural Capital – Beyond the Curriculum
Cultural capital refers to the knowledge, experiences, and skills that help children succeed in life beyond formal education. It’s about exposing children to a wide range of experiences that enrich their understanding of the world and give them the confidence to navigate new situations.
At Ash & Claire’s Childminding, we embed cultural capital into daily learning by:
🌍 Introducing new experiences – Taking children on outings to libraries, parks, farms, and museums.
📚 Exploring diverse cultures – Learning about different traditions, festivals, and community roles.
🎭 Encouraging imagination and creativity – Through storytelling, dress-up, and role-play.
🧩 Building life skills – Teaching independence, social skills, and real-world problem-solving.
🚌 Engaging with the community – Using public transport, visiting local shops, and interacting with different professions.
🏛 Visiting museums – Providing opportunities for children to experience hands-on history, science, and cultural exhibits, expanding their knowledge of the world in an interactive and engaging way.
By combining a strong curriculum with rich cultural experiences, we ensure that every child leaves our setting with confidence, curiosity, and the skills to thrive in the world around them.
Would you like to know more about our approach? Feel free to ask—we love sharing how we make learning meaningful for every child! 😊