Early Years Foundation Stage

 

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is crucial in securing solid foundations that children are going to continue to build upon for the rest of their school journey. 

It is our intent that the children who enter our EYFS develop physically, verbally, cognitively and emotionally whilst developing a positive attitude to school and learning. 

We believe that all children deserve to be valued as individuals, and we are passionate in allowing all children to achieve their full, unique potential. Each new year we carefully look at the individual needs of our children and aim to develop our EYFS curriculum to enable them to develop their own learning journey.

Play, learn and explore

The teaching and learning for the EYFS is organised in to areas of experience rather than individual subjects. These areas are as follows:

The prime areas of development are:

• Communication and Language

• Physical Development

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development

The specific areas of development are:

• Literacy

• Mathematics

• Understanding the World

• Expressive Arts and Design

The teaching of these areas of learning is practical and playful with support and challenge from adults in class sessions, small group sessions and working with individuals. We aim to combine adult-led, teacher taught sessions as well as access to stimulating continuous provision opportunities.

Throughout all of these areas of learning and at the heart of the EYFS curriculum are the 'Characteristics of Effective Learning':

• Playing and Learning 

• Active Learning 

• Thinking Critically

These characteristics aim to give the children the skills that they will continue to draw upon throughout their development and school journey.

The Prime and Specific Areas are further broken down:

Personal, Social and Emotional

• Self-Regulation

• Managing Self

• Building Relationships

Communication and Language

• Listening, Attention and Understanding

• Speaking

Physical Development

• Gross Motor Skills

• Fine Motor Skills

Literacy

• Comprehension

• Word Reading

• Writing

Maths

• Number

• Numerical Patterns

Understanding the World

• Past and Present

• People, Culture and Communities

• The Natural World

Expressive Arts and Design

• Creating with Materials

• Being Imaginative and Expressive

We work extremely closely with families and preschools to ensure a smooth transition into school and that we cater for each child's individual needs:

• Preschool/home liaison
• Induction meetings
• Transition days
• School tours
• Meet the teacher sessions
• Parent/carer sessions
• Tapestry learning journals

Please contact the school to arrange a visit.  We look forward to welcoming you and your family.