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Early Years Our youngest Wellingtonians are encouraged to develop their own individual learning skills in stimulating, colourful and child-friendly surroundings. In Early Years, the children follow a curriculum linked to the expectations of the English Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. It is a play-based approach, with regular observations forming the main part of assessment. Children spend much of their day exploring and learning through play, both indoors and outdoors. Children also have teacher-directed tasks and daily phonics, maths, literacy, and Chinese/ Mandarin activities. We also place a focus on how children learn, including their level of well-being and engagement. All children are taught for the majority of the day by a classroom teacher who is supported by a highly qualified teaching assistant. They will also provide the excellent pastoral care for which Wellington is justifiably renowned. Specialist teachers lead Chinese, music, PE and swimming lessons (Reception only) in the Early Years. With the exception of music these specialist teachers work full-time at the Early Years Centre. In music we also have a full-time Music TA who ensures music is an integral part of learning across the week. Our aim at Wellington is to help every child reach his or her potential through developing a love of learning and an inquiring, creative yet critical mind, which looks considerably beyond what is taught in the classroom. With this firm foundation we are assured that our children will then be able to transition to Pre-Prep in the main campus with confidence. 10