Early Years Foundation Stage

In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) we aim to provide a broad, balanced, differentiated curriculum which addresses the children‘s social, emotional, physical, intellectual, moral and cultural development within a safe, secure, stimulating environment.

The EYFS curriculum enables the child to learn and develop skills, attitudes and understanding in these areas of learning:

The prime areas are:

communication and language
physical development
personal, social and emotional development

The specific areas are:

literacy
mathematics
understanding the world
expressive arts and design

Throughout the EYFS we plan activities to give children learning experiences and opportunities to work towards the Early Learning Goals and prepare them for the National Curriculum. Teaching and learning takes place within the classroom and outside areas. Children will participate in a variety of activities, both with an adult and independently.

We believe that play, both indoors and outdoors, is the fundamental way in which young children learn which is enjoyable and challenging.

In a secure environment with effective adult support, children will be able to:

Explore, develop and represent learning experiences that help them make sense of the world
Practise and build up concepts, ideas and skills
Learn how to control impulses and understand the need for rules
Be alone, be alongside others or co-operate as they talk to rehearse their feelings
Take risks and make mistakes
Think creatively and imaginatively
Communicate with others as they investigate and solve problems
Express fears to relieve anxious experiences in controlled and safe situations

We teach our curriculum through stories and topic work that encompass all seven areas of learning. We provide our children with many opportunities to question explore and discover while developing independence and a love of learning. Throughout our learning environment, the children take part in independent learning experiences that link to the termly theme, children’s interests and individual targets.