Understanding of the World

Understanding the World helps children explore, question and make sense of the people, places and environments around them. By building on children's natural curiosity, we encourage them to investigate, discover and develop an understanding of how the world works. Children learn about their local community as well as people, cultures and places beyond their own experiences. This provides a rich introduction to the diversity of the world, helping children develop respect for others, make connections between themselves and the wider community, and lay the foundations for a connected and fulfilling life..

The World

We encourage our children to explore the natural world, experience different weather conditions, and appreciate all living things. Our rich outdoor environment allows children to foster a curiosity about their natural surroundings and take part in growing plants and vegetables. We teach them to identify birds, minibeast and small animals and provide experiences across the year to give first hand experiences watching animals and insects grow.

Belonging

It is imperative to us that all members of our school community feel a sense of belonging. Our curriculum ensures that we provide planned sessions teaching children to embrace and appreciate different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives within the community. We provide training for all staff on embracing diversity to give them the confidence to seize opportune moments to celebrate difference. We invite members of the community from different professions, religions and cultures to come and share their experiences.

People and Communities

We encourage our children to make sense of their physical world and their community. We map out a range of experiences and enrichment opportunities to expose children to different lifestyles, occupations and cultural heritage of those in the communities around them. All of which are underpinned by providing children with an enriched accessed to vocabulary to describe their themselves and their aspirations within their local community.

Supportive Environment

We provide welly boots and waterproofs in a heated changing space so that children can access outdoors in all weathers.
A wide range of visits and visitors are planned to broaden children’s knowledge of other communities.
Resources have been developed and activities planned to ensure that online safety can be taught in an age-appropriate way.
We provide carefully chosen stories and resources which explore the world around us, are inclusive, represent diversity and are reflective of our school community.

Technology

We use technology thoughtfully and only when it adds genuine value to children's learning, such as sharing video clips that enhance understanding of celebrations, events or the wider world. Children are encouraged to explore and use everyday technology. Through age-appropriate activities, we teach children how to stay safe when using technology, and work closely with parents to promote positive and safe online habits at home and nursery.

Family Involvement

We invite parents/family members into school to share skills, hobbies, celebrations and read stories in their home language.
We share activities for home that promote looking at the natural world in different seasons.
We share information, guidance and resources to support parents/carers to keep their children safe online.

Our Curriculum

Understanding the World helps children make sense of the people, places, communities, environments, and technologies that shape their everyday lives. Through exploration, observation, discussion, and hands-on experiences, children develop curiosity about the world around them and begin to understand their place within it. Every child develops at their own pace, but all children benefit from opportunities to explore their surroundings, learn about different people and communities, investigate the natural world, reflect on past experiences, and engage with technology in meaningful ways.

The progression visuals provide an accessible overview of this journey, illustrating how children's understanding develops from immediate experiences and familiar routines towards a broader awareness of people, places, nature, history, and technology. The visual progression highlights how children learn to appreciate similarities and differences, explore and care for the natural world, understand the passing of time, recall and sequence events, and use digital tools responsibly.