Welcome to EYFS at Old Hill Primary School
Our Early Years Foundation Stage provides children with a safe, stimulating and nurturing environment where they can explore, play and develop a lifelong love of learning.
We believe that children learn best through meaningful experiences, rich language, high-quality interactions and purposeful play. Our Nursery and Reception classes provide a carefully designed environment where children develop independence, curiosity and confidence while building the strong foundations they need for future learning.
At Old Hill Primary School we value every child as a unique individual. Through strong relationships, clear routines and a language-rich environment, we ensure children feel secure, valued and ready to thrive.
EYFS gallery
Intent
Our aim in EYFS is to provide a high-quality early education that supports children to become confident, independent learners who are ready for the next stage of their education.
Our curriculum is designed to:
• Develop strong communication and language skills, recognising that talk is the foundation of learning.
• Foster a love of reading and storytelling from the very start of school.
• Build early mathematical understanding through practical exploration and problem solving.
• Encourage curiosity, creativity and imagination through play and exploration.
• Support children to become independent, resilient and socially confident learners.
• Provide rich opportunities to explore the world around them.
We recognise that children arrive with different experiences and starting points, so our curriculum builds carefully on what children already know and can do.
Our goal is that every child leaves Reception ready for the next stage of their learning journey, equipped with the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for success in Year 1 and beyond.
Implementation
Learning in EYFS is carefully structured through a balance of:
• Adult-led teaching
• Child-initiated learning through play
• Carefully planned continuous provision
• High-quality adult interactions
Adults model language, extend children’s thinking and support learning through questioning, discussion and shared experiences.
Children learn through a combination of:
• whole-class teaching
• small group activities
• independent exploration
• continuous provision indoors and outdoors
Our curriculum is organised around the seven areas of learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage framework:
Prime Areas
• Communication and Language
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
• Physical Development
Specific Areas
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the World
• Expressive Arts and Design
The prime areas form the foundation for all learning and are particularly emphasised during the early stages of development.
Communication and Language
Developing children’s language is a key priority in our EYFS.
Children are immersed in a language-rich environment where adults model vocabulary, encourage conversation and provide opportunities for children to express their ideas.
We support communication and language development through:
• daily storytelling and shared reading
• structured talk opportunities
• modelling and extending vocabulary
• role play and imaginative play
• singing, rhymes and poems
• high-quality adult interaction during play
These experiences help children to develop the confidence and communication skills needed for future learning.
Reading and Phonics
Developing a love of reading is central to our EYFS curriculum.
Children take part in daily story sessions where they are introduced to a wide range of high-quality texts that build vocabulary, imagination and understanding of the world.
We teach phonics using the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme, beginning in Nursery and continuing through Reception. This systematic approach helps children develop the skills they need to become confident readers.
Children practise:
• recognising sounds
• blending sounds to read words
• segmenting words for spelling
• developing fluency and confidence in reading
Regular reading opportunities help children develop positive reading habits and a love of books.
Mathematics
Mathematics in EYFS focuses on developing children’s understanding of number and their ability to reason about quantities and patterns.
Children learn through practical experiences that help them:
• understand numbers and counting
• explore shape, space and measure
• develop problem-solving skills
• recognise patterns and relationships
Through games, stories, practical resources and exploration within provision, children build strong early mathematical foundations.
Learning Through Play
Play is a vital part of learning in the Early Years.
Our carefully planned continuous provision allows children to explore, practise and deepen their learning through meaningful experiences.
Children engage in activities such as:
• role play and storytelling
• construction and building
• creative arts and design
• mark making and early writing
• mathematical exploration
• investigation and discovery
Through play, children develop independence, resilience and problem-solving skills.
Our Learning Environment
Our indoor and outdoor environments are designed to support curiosity, independence and exploration.
Children have access to well-resourced learning areas that promote:
• communication and collaboration
• imaginative play
• investigation and enquiry
• creativity and expression
• physical development
Outdoor learning is an important part of our EYFS curriculum, providing opportunities for children to develop physical skills, explore nature and engage in active learning.
Assessment
Assessment in EYFS is ongoing and formative.
Staff observe children during their play and learning activities in order to understand their progress and plan next steps.
We use Tapestry, an online learning journal, to record and share children’s learning with families. This allows parents to celebrate their child’s achievements and remain actively involved in their learning journey.
Working in Partnership with Parents
We recognise that parents and carers are children’s first and most important educators.
We work closely with families to support each child’s development through:
• regular communication
• sharing learning through Tapestry
• opportunities for parents to contribute to learning
• transition meetings and support
Strong partnerships between home and school ensure the best possible outcomes for children.
Transition to Year 1
We place great importance on ensuring a smooth transition from Reception into Key Stage 1.
Children are gradually introduced to routines and expectations that prepare them for Year 1, while still maintaining the play-based approach that supports effective learning.
Staff work closely together to ensure that children move into Year 1 confident, capable and ready for the next stage of their education.
Impact
By the end of Reception, children at Old Hill Primary School are:
• confident communicators
• enthusiastic readers
• curious learners
• independent thinkers
• resilient problem solvers
• socially confident members of our school community
Our EYFS curriculum ensures that children leave Reception with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to succeed in Key Stage 1 and beyond.
