Play-Based Medium Term Planning Tool (Lite) – Nursery (Curriculum for Wales)
Planning in the early years should feel purposeful, not overwhelming.
This Play-Based Medium Term Planning Tool (Lite) has been designed specifically for Nursery practitioners working within the Curriculum for Wales, helping you focus on what truly matters — the thinking behind your provision.
Rather than starting with activities, this tool supports you to begin with the “why”, ensuring your planning is rooted in concepts, development and meaningful learning through play.
What this resource supports you to do:
✔ Identify a clear big idea for your topic
✔ Anchor planning in key concepts (not activities)
✔ Build purposeful vocabulary development
✔ Make meaningful links to the Four Purposes
✔ Consider developmental pathways in a manageable way
✔ Plan engaging provocations to spark curiosity and child-led learning
✔ Ensure alignment with AoLEs and Statements of What Matters
What’s included:
• A clear, structured “big picture” planning page
• Sections for:
- Topic title
- Big idea
- Concepts
- Vocabulary
- Linked developmental pathways
- Four purposes
- Curriculum for Wales alignment
- Provocations
Why this resource works:
This is a lite version of a full planning approach — meaning it strips everything back to the essentials so you can:
→ Focus on clarity before detail
→ Keep planning manageable and realistic
→ Maintain a strong play-based, child-centred approach
→ Ensure learning is purposeful, not just busy
Perfect for:
• Nursery / Early Years practitioners
• Teachers beginning their Curriculum for Wales journey
• Schools refining their play-based curriculum approach
• Practitioners who feel overwhelmed and need a clear starting point
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