EYFS
The intent of our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum is to provide a nurturing and stimulating environment where children feel safe, valued, and inspired to learn. We aim to lay the foundations for lifelong learning by supporting the development of the whole child—socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually. Our curriculum is designed to ignite children's curiosity, foster their natural love for learning, and encourage independence and creativity from the very start of their educational journey.
As they explore and learn, children are naturally drawn to play which is why play and engagement is at the heart of our EYFS curriculum. Through a balance of adult directed and child-initiated play ensures the best outcomes for pupils. Warm and positive relationships between staff and children; consistency and routine; and strong relationships with parents are all features of the day-to-day practice that supports wellbeing. Our staff have high expectations for all children and ensure children develop the skills and knowledge to grow into respectful, independent, resilient and creative learners. The Development Matters document is followed to ensure development and expectations for children by the end of the Foundation Stage.
We recognise the importance of language development and prioritise communication, ensuring that children have opportunities to express themselves, build vocabulary, and engage in meaningful conversations. Through our carefully planned indoor and outdoor environments, children develop their physical skills, engage in imaginative play, and explore the world around them. EYFS is a critical time for language development, and meaningful interactions provide an ideal setting for language acquisition. Engaging in conversations, storytelling, and reading together exposes children to new vocabulary, sentence structures, and communication patterns. Moreover, adults can model appropriate language usage, grammar, and pronunciation, which helps children develop effective communication skills.
Our EYFS curriculum places great emphasis on the development of positive relationships and emotional well-being, helping children build confidence, resilience, and social skills. We work in close partnership with parents and carers, recognising them as the first educators, to ensure a collaborative approach to each child's learning and development. We use Tapestry to facilitate effective communication and collaboration between educators and parents. Parents can access their child's Tapestry account to view observations, comment, and provide insights into their child's learning experiences. This fosters a partnership between home and early years settings, promoting a holistic approach to children's development.
By the end of the EYFS, we aim for all children to be well-prepared for their transition into Key Stage 1, equipped with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes they need to thrive in their ongoing education.
Key Aims:
- Support the holistic development of every child, focusing on their social, emotional, physical, and cognitive needs.
- Provide a stimulating, language-rich environment to develop communication and early literacy skills.
- Foster curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning through play-based and structured activities.
- Build positive relationships and emotional well-being, encouraging resilience, confidence, and independence.
- Work in close partnership with parents and carers to ensure every child reaches their full potential and is well-prepared for the next stage of their education.
