Early Years
Teaching in the Early Years Foundation Stage refers to the teaching in Preschool, Nursery and Reception classes. The teaching at this stage in children's development is decided by the Department of Education and takes the form of the national Early Years Foundation Stage Framework.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
We offer a safe, secure and nurturing environment where children develop a sense of emotional well-being and self-confidence. Children take part in circle time which is a time to share news, feelings and opinions. They learn how to take turns in speaking, how to share toys and how to look after our classroom environment. During this time, children become more aware of others’ feelings and we talk about our own experiences at school and at home. Staff help children to develop good relationships with each other and children learn how to make friends, play effectively with each other and resolve conflicts. Our pupils learn about what makes them special and we encourage children to feel positive about what they can do. Special work is celebrated by sharing with the rest of the class or sharing in whole school assemblies. Each week children strive to be the Star of the week and feel proud when they achieve this.
Communication and Language
Our school encourages children to work in small groups to develop their speaking and listening skills. We plan fun and interactive activities to help children feel confident, safe and secure in sharing their ideas. We encourage children to speak to each other in a range of situations, and help them feel confident in expressing themselves. Children will be introduced to a range of nursery rhymes, stories and songs throughout the year and are encouraged to expand their language skills further by engaging in imaginative play and in our provision. In Nursery they use Story Dough, and in Reception children learn new vocabulary through Drawing Club. Our school fosters a nurturing environment where children’s speech is valued and encouraged.
Physical Development
Our children enjoy active sessions where they develop a range of skills including throwing and catching, travelling in different ways and using large apparatus. Children also have opportunities to explore a range of dance and gymnastic activities. We encourage children to eat healthily through providing a range of healthy snacks and we actively promote a healthy lifestyle. Children have access to a range of bikes, scooters and play equipment when playing outside and regularly use the large outdoor adventure playground to develop their gross motor skills. Our school also has a story path which children use to travel around and explore. Children regularly take part in threading, lacing and cutting activities to help develop their fine motor skills and get them ready for writing. We encourage children to develop their pencil grip and control through fun finger activities. Children in nursery use playdough to help develop their fine motor skills through Story Dough. Reception practice writing their name and letter formation daily as part of Drawing Club.
Understanding the World
All children in our Foundation stage unit enjoy exploring how to use cameras, I pads and other technological toys such as Bee-bots and remote controlled cars. They have access to Smartboards and computers on a daily basis which help develop their Computing skills. Children also learn about the world around them, beginning with exploring where they live. We go on walks around our locality and look at local places of interest. We have a range of visitors to our school to find out about people in our community and the job they do. Our children enjoy finding out about living things and help to care and enjoy helping to plant new flowers and fruit and vegetables in our school garden.
Expressive Arts and Design
All EYFS pupils have access to a range of media and materials in the unit. They can investigate how to join materials together and practice their cutting skills. Children enjoy making pictures to take home and often use a range of empty cardboard boxes, kitchen rolls and plastic containers to make models such as houses, buses and cars. Throughout the year, we explore how our bodies can move to a variety of music and rhythms and investigate making sounds with musical instruments. Children use what they know in the role-play kitchen, using utensils to make meals, tidy up and take the baby for a walk in the pram. We plan themed role-play areas that link to the topic we are studying. These areas can include for example, a doctor’s surgery, a garden centre, a fairy-tale castle and a variety of shops. We encourage children to help set these areas up by asking for ideas, collecting resources and making things to use.
Literacy
Children work in small groups to participate in phonic activities. These begin with early phonics that develop speaking and listening skills. Our school follows the Read, Write Inc programme which supports their understanding of letters and sounds. This begins with children learning pictures to represent sounds. This is then built upon through the introduction of the letter representations and then introducing blending using the sounds that the children are secure in. Once children are ready for a reading book, they are given a book to take home to share with people at home. We encourage children to read their books at home as much as possible and listen to children read at school everyday. All children enjoy listening to a range of reading materials such as stories, non-fiction books, poems and other written texts. They have access to reading areas in class where they can enjoy a book with their friends. There are also dedicated drawing and writing areas in the Foundation Stage Unit which provide an area for mark making for the children. Reception children take part in Drawing Club to help support them in their early writing skills.
Mathematics
Our Early Years classes include a well resourced maths area which enables children to choose the equipment they need to solve their own mathematical problems. We provide lots of practical and engaging activities to help children improve their counting, calculations, shape, space and measures skills. Children are regularly engaged in play activities that help foster and develop their problem solving skills.
