Early Years Foundation Stage
We believe that all children are unique, they do not all learn in the same way or at the same pace.
Our EYFS curriculum is designed to support the holistic development of all children, promoting social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth. It encompasses core values and golden threads which run through all areas of learning, taking into account what children already know and can do, building on their strengths and meeting their development needs.
We have developed our curriculum from various pedagogical approaches and documents. Our broad and balanced curriculum is guided by ‘Birth to 5 Matters’ (2021) and the Characteristics of Effective Learning (Early years foundation stage statutory framework 2025) - Playing and Exploring, Active Learning, and Creating and Thinking Critically. A key aspect of our approach is drawn from key findings within ‘Insights Into a High-Quality Early Years Curriculum’ (2023).
Provision
We strive to foster a love of learning, develop a sense of community and promote independence through purposeful interactions and positive relationships. Enabling children to be ambitious, feel excited and be prepared for their next stage of learning.
Our golden threads which weave through all areas of learning allow children to make clear links in the learning that they have completed previously, enabling them to activate prior knowledge and be more successful in future learning.
Curriculum and Planning
The EYFS curriculum follows the EYFS Statutory framework. This sets out the Characteristics of Effective Learning (How children learn) and the 7 Areas of Learning (What children learn) that all EYFS children have an entitlement to.
These Areas of Learning 7 areas are divided into prime and specific areas.
Prime areas of development and learning lay vital foundations in the early years. The three Prime areas are Personal, social and emotional development (PSED), Communication and language (CL), and Physical development (PD). The Specific areas of development and learning are Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World and Expressive Art and Design.
All areas of learning and development are important and inter-connected. Practitioner use Birth to 5 Matters to inform planning and assessment. Alongside these areas the Early Years team promote the Characteristics of Effective Learning throughout all interactions with the children.
Nursery and Reception work closely together and follow similar themes and child initiated interests. Our approach enables children to be ambitious, feel excited and be prepared for their next stage of learning.
Daily Routines
Each day the children will take part in a variety of whole class, small group, 1 to 1 sessions. Direct whole class teaching that is kept to a minimum. All children are encouraged to initiate and develop their learning in continuous provision areas. This approach allows for sustained, uninterrupted play and social interactions to take place. Enhancements are added to an area of learning within continuous provision, allowing opportunities for rehearsal of skills and mastery.
