Children develop more rapidly during the first five years of their lives than at any other time.  The Department of Education has published a booklet to help you as a parent/carer find out more about how your child is learning and developing during their first five years, in relation to the EYFS and what to expect during these vitally important years by focusing on the seven areas of learning and development which are covered in the EYFS.

The Nursery and Reception classes follow the Department for Education framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. This is a curriculum designed for our youngest learners and is based on setting solid foundations for the National Curriculum by learning through play and first hand experiences.

There are 7 areas of learning in the EYFS. The 3 Prime areas cover the most essential skills that are needed to help the children’s development and the 4 Specific areas are dependent upon the successful application of the Prime areas.

Prime Areas of Learning
Communication and Language

The children’s ability to listen attentively, understand and process information and speak to make them understood is developed through a variety of exciting activities that make the children eager to communicate their thoughts.

Physical Development

The children use the Foundation Stage outdoor area as well as the school hall and grounds to develop their gross motor skills. Fine manipulative skills are developed through using tools for a variety of purposes and fun activities that develop finger strength and the control necessary to support successful writing. Every morning the children partake in 'Busy Fingers' to support with this. 

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Our Foundation Stage classroom is a safe, warm and secure environment where children are valued, listened to and encouraged to make their own decisions. It is an important time for making friends and learning to get along with other people. They gain the confidence to set their own challenges and develop positive behaviours for learning.

Specific Areas of Learning

English

Singing, rhyming, and storytelling are essential ingredients to our literacy curriculum and the Foundation Stage environment is rich in opportunities for children to see and relate to print. Children listen to, share and act out stories as well as learning the skills to enable them to read and write independently.

Maths

The children are encouraged to use everything around them to support their learning in maths and to make maths a relevant part of their everyday world. Counting, sorting, making patterns and learning about shapes happens throughout the day inside and outside. Counting songs, rhymes and games ensure the children enjoy using and experimenting with numbers.

Understanding the World

The children are encouraged to explore, observe, ask questions and predict using our natural world. Skilled adults working alongside are able to extend the children’s vocabulary and thinking skills. We use out school grounds to observe changes and invite in many visitors to find out about our world. We also use iPads and the class computer to teach Technology.

Expressive Arts and Design

This area of learning includes art, music, dance and imaginative play. The children have many opportunities to explore and experiment with colour, sounds and materials in order to produce their own individual creative work.

Learning through play

Children learn through their play. They will be provided with a wide range of activities and experiences which will develop their social, creative, physical, intellectual and mathematical skills and further develop their language and understanding. All children need time and space to explore and play freely and they will be greatly encouraged to make choices and plan their time in order to develop initiative and independence.