ABSTRACT
Using the ‘natural calendar’ is a sound way to begin a year plan because the format gives an immediate visual picture of what is happening when. While some topics are prescribed, most depend on the interests the children reveal. Staff have to consider the ethnic and religious diversity in their nursery and local community as they select the prescribed topics for the plan to ensure that each group of children enjoys input that is important to their culture. At an early stage, this forward plan can be shared with parents to help keep them involved in their children’s learning. The plan also gives notice of any resources that have to be gathered or ‘outside people’ who have to be contacted and given sufficient notice to allow the anticipated activities to take place.
