We aim to provide the highest quality care and education for all our children thereby giving them a strong foundation for their future learning. We create a safe and happy learning environment with motivating and enjoyable learning experiences that enable children to become confident and independent. We value the individual child and work alongside parents and others to meet their needs and help every child to reach their full potential.
As outlined in the Statutory Framework for EYFS ‘Every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to fulfil their potential. Children develop quickly in the early years and a child’s experiences between birth and age five have a major impact on their future life chances. A secure, safe and happy childhood is important in its own right. Good parenting and high quality early learning together provide the foundation children need to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow up.’ (July 2020)
You can find out more about the statutory EYFS Framework Here
We play alongside our children within the EYFS to plan next steps for their learning and to move their learning forward in the moment.
In planning and guiding what children learn, we reflect on the different rates at which children are developing and adjust their practice appropriately. We adhere to the three characteristics of effective teaching and learning which are:
- playing and exploring – children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’
- active learning – children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties, and enjoy achievements
- creating and thinking critically – children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things
All the seven areas of learning and development are important and inter-connected.
Three areas are particularly crucial for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive. These three areas are the prime areas:
Communication and Language
Physical Development
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Children are also supported through the four specific areas, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied.
The specific areas are:
Literacy
Mathematics
Understanding the World
Expressive Arts and Design
Children are provided with a range of rich, meaningful first-hand experiences in which children explore, think creatively and are active. We aim to develop and foster positive attitudes towards learning, confidence, communication and physical development.
As a team, we write medium term plans using the EYFS principles looking at the particular needs of that cohort, offering experiences in all seven areas. We plan in small steps so that children progress incrementally towards the ELG, and these are mapped in ‘honeycomb’ documents. We speak with the children on a regular basis regarding what they would like to learn about these plans then inform our short-term weekly planning. We plan a balance between children having time and space to engage in their own child-initiated activities and those that are planned by the adults. During children’s play, early years practitioners interact to stretch and challenge children further.
We teach our children in a variety of groupings such as whole class, small group or individually.
We teach Phonics using the Sounds Write guidance. You can find out more about phonics and how children learn to read here.
We aim to create a stimulating environment to encourage children to independently access indoor and outdoor learning. Our classroom is set out with areas of provision as an enabling environment, and we have a large outdoor area that provides different learning opportunities for children.
Parents as Partners and the Wider context
We strive to create and maintain a partnership with parents and carers as we recognise that together, we can have a significant impact on a child’s learning. We welcome and actively encourage parents to participate confidently in their child’s education and care. Working with other services and organisations is integral to our practice in order to meet the needs of our children. At times we may need to share information with other professionals to provide the best support possible.
We draw on our links with the community and each other to enrich children’s experiences by taking them on outings and inviting members of the community into our setting.
Parents are invited to attend regular events in school, including church services, so that they are included and we build relationships that are conducive to effective partnership working.
The times of the school day for children in our Reception (EYFS) class are the same as the rest of the school.
If you would like your child to be part of our EYFS setting, you can apply for a place by following the guidance on our admissions page.
