EYFS
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) marks a critical time in a child’s development.
At All Saints’ Primary School, we believe that the early years are vital in setting the foundations for life. By promoting excellence in early education, we enable all children to achieve success in their early years. We aim to develop creative, imaginative and independent lifelong learners through a play-based approach.
Learning through play is one of the key principles of early years education. We cater for the needs of all our children and carefully plan play-based learning opportunities through observing children’s interests, and by giving them access to high quality indoor and outdoor environments.
During the first half term in Reception, we concentrate on settling the children in, helping them to make new friends and learn the rules and routines of school. We provide an environment which allows the children to play and explore following their own interests and the staff support the children in accessing all the different areas in the classroom and outdoor spaces. These areas include creative, small world, physical, construction, writing, maths and role play.
After the first half term we begin to introduce reading books and words. We also begin a daily phonics session where children learn the letter sounds through games, songs and activities. We also begin daily maths sessions to develop the children's understanding of number, shapes, space and measure.
During the spring and summer term the children continue to learn through play with the staff moving their learning on through support and quality interactions. Phonics and maths sessions continue at the developing level of the children.
The Curriculum
Children in Reception follow the EYFS Curriculum. This is divided into seven main areas, split between prime and specific areas of learning.
The prime areas are:
- - Communication and language
- - Physical development
- - Personal, social and emotional development
The specific areas of learning are:
- - Literacy
- - Mathematics
- - Understanding the world
- - Expressive art and design
‘Characteristics of effective learning’ are also observed.
The characteristics are:
- - Playing and exploring
- - Creating and thinking critically
- - Active learning
By the time they reach the end of the EYFS, children should have achieved the Early Learning Goals, which encapsulate the knowledge, skills and understanding they should have at the end of the academic year in which they turn five.