Since 2008, all nurseries are expected to follow a national programme – the ‘Early Years Foundation Programme’. This programme supports early years learning.  At West Chiltington Montessori it was a relatively easy programme to adopt as our existing activity planning and learning philosophy was very similar.  Our provision now reflects the four key themes and 16 commitments of the Early Years Foundation Stage and these are seamlessly linked to the Montessori principles. The four key themes are:

A Unique Child
Child Development: Skilful communicator, competent learner.
Inclusive Practice: Equality and diversity, children's entitlements, early support. Keeping Safe: Being safe and protected, discovering boundaries, making choices. Health and Well-being: Growth and developing, physical and emotional wellbeing.

Positive Relationships
Respecting Each Other: Understanding feelings, friendship, professional relationships. Parents as Partners: Respecting diversity, communication, learning together. Supporting Learning: Positive interactions, listening to children, effective teaching.
Key Person: Secure attachment, shared care, independence.

Enabling Environments
Observation, Assessment and Planning: Starting with the child, planning, assessment. Supporting Every Child: Children's needs, the learning journey, working together.
The Learning Environment: The emotional environment, the outdoor environment, the indoor environment.
The Wider Context: Transitions and continuity, multi-agency working, the community.
Learning and Development
Play and Exploration: Learning through experience, adult involvement, contexts for learning.
Active Learning: Mental and physical involvement, decision making, personalised learning. Creativity and Physical Thinking: Making connections, transforming and understanding, sustained shared thinking.
Areas of Development and Learning.