“Early Years are where the foundations for future learning and development are laid.”
Early Years Curriculum
Early Years Foundation Stage is for children aged 3-5 year. It is where the foundations for future learning and development are laid. We therefore create a happy, stimulating and caring environment which fosters creativity, exploration and initiative.
Our programme is based on the English Early Years curriculum, which we adapt to meet the needs of our particular community and environment. We also take inspiration from Reggio Emilia and Forest School approaches. You can read more about the Early Years curriculum here:
The main points are that: every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured; children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships; children learn and develop well in enabling environments with teaching and support from adults, who respond to their individual interests and needs and help them to build their learning over time; Children develop and learn at different rates.
- Early years provides a happy, stimulating and caring environment which fosters creativity.
A Day in Early Years
After the children have been dropped off between 08.20 and 08.45 they enter the class and do their morning jobs which include self registration and exchanging their reading books. During this time they are free to select a wide range of activities and materials.
At 09.00 we hold ‘morning circle time’ where we welcome each child, determine the day of the week and discuss the plan for the rest of the day. Every morning we divide into our groups to do phonics (reading and writing) activities.
On Monday and Friday, after a morning snack and short break, we have a music lesson. On Tuesdays and Thursdays we also divide into groups to do maths activities.
Later in the morning we work on other areas of development like personal responsibility through a variety of indoor and outdoor activities usually based on short themed topics or on a particular area of interest for the children.
A varied and balanced lunch is provided at 12 o'clock and after some free play in the outdoor area and a short rest the children continue the afternoon with a selection of focused, structured activities that help meet the objectives in the EYs curriculum. By 15.00 we are back in a whole group where we have stories and ‘show and tell’ before home time at 3-15 .
Settling In
We want children to have a positive start to school, so it is important they are ready for what we have to offer. We therefore have a gradual settling in programme that considers both children's age and previous school experience. When evaluating readiness we consider whether children separate happily, cope physically with our environment, cope with our routine, are happy to be at school and behave in an age appropriate way.
Summer born children (July and August) follow a longer settling in period due to the fact they are significantly younger than their peers. This usually suits most children, although we are happy to adjust this depending on the needs of the child and the group as a whole.
Communication
Children are encouraged to be independent as much as possible which includes putting on their own shoes and coats etc. Children have separate indoor and outdoor shoes and we therefore ask parents to send children in shoes that their children are able to put on independently. We also encourage children to change into wellies and waterproof overalls for outdoor play when necessary.
Parental Involvement
We value parent involvement and work closely with parents to ensure a smooth transition to school and encourage parents to support their children’s learning at home. We welcome parent input and encourage opportunities for family involvement.
"We want children to have a positive start to school".
Equipment
Children will require outdoor shoes; indoor shoes; wellies; waterproof overalls; bag containing a change of clothes.