The Early Years Foundation Stage

Our curriculum is based on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).  We place a strong emphasis on children developing the characteristic of effective learning as this cultivates children’s ability to be learners.  The characteristics of effective learning are playing and exploring; active learning and creating and thinking critically.

 

Playing and Exploring

We encourage the children to be curious and want to find out about the world around them, to have a go at new experiences and to engage in imaginative play.

 

Active learning

We help the children to develop their concentration so they will focus on an activity for a length of time that is appropriate to their age.  We help the children to develop persistence, to keep on trying and to be proud of what they achieve.

 

Creating and Thinking Critically

Over time we help the children to develop their thinking skills, to celebrate their ideas and to find different ways to solve problems.

 

The EYFS is split into 7 areas of learning:

The Prime Areas Personal, social and emotional development Making relationships
    Self-confidence and self-awareness
    Managing feeling and behaviour
  Communication and language Listening and Attention
    Understanding
    Speaking
  Physical development Moving and handling
    Health and self-care

 

The Specific Areas Literacy Reading
    Writing
  Mathematics Numbers
    Shape, space and measures
  Understanding the world People and communities
    The world
    Technology
  xpressive arts and design Exploring and using media and materials
    Being imaginative

 

We always focus on the prime areas of learning first, as research shows these are the essential building blocks of future attainment – children need to be able to listen and communicate, paying attention to the people around them, and be able to handle pencils and IT equipment to learn the skills for reading, writing and number work.

Practitioners plan experiences and challenges based on children’s individual interests and fascinations such as vehicles, nature or things that spin around. All the children’s learning is very practical and playful.