Prep
Learning through play, story and discovery
How we teach in the Early Years band — and why
The developing mind (Piaget)
Late preoperational moving toward concrete operational thought. Learning is anchored in play, story, movement and concrete materials; symbols (letters, numerals) are always tied to things children can see, touch and act out.
Learning together (Vygotsky)
Learning is social and language-rich. A parent/carer works alongside the child as the 'more knowledgeable other'; lessons script that shared talk. Scaffolds are heavy and visible: modelled sentences, counting materials, picture prompts.
Our design commitments
- Short bursts (10–20 minutes) with movement between them
- Play-based and story-based entry points into every concept
- Systematic synthetic phonics and concrete-materials numeracy
- Parent/carer is a co-player and co-reader, with side-notes telling them exactly what to say and notice
Programmed scope
English
Phonics foundations, oral storytelling, first reading and writing
Mathematics
Numbers to 20, patterns, shape and measurement through play
Science
Senses, seasons, and the living world around me
Humanities and Social Sciences
My family, my places, my special stories
Health and Physical Education
Moving, playing and looking after myself
The Arts
Making, singing, moving and pretending
Technologies
Playful problem solving and how things work
✍️ Full interactive lessons for Prep are being authored to the same standard as our Year 3 exemplar — explore Year 3 to see exactly what every year level will feel like.