Early Years Foundation Stage
Intent
At William Harding, we believe the Early Years Foundation Stage is of the utmost importance to children and is the basis for long term well-being and lifelong learning. We feel a strong moral purpose to ensure our Early Years curriculum is inclusive and based on social justice and believe our practitioners directly shape children’s futures.
This includes building cumulatively sufficient knowledge, including phonic skills, a wide vocabulary, British values and an understanding of healthy lifestyle. As well as this, we aim to develop Communication and Language, Physical Development, Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World and Expressive Arts and Design. We aim for all children to develop a passion for learning both inside and out of the classroom.
Implementation
We have designed overviews of the 2 year old room, the 3 and 4 year olds rooms and Reception. These are underpinned by the recurring themes of ‘Me and My World’, ‘Journeys’ and ‘Change and Growth’ which feed into our Primary Knowledge Curriculum in KS1 and 2. These overviews include suggested key vocabulary, concepts, texts and ideas that could be taught in that half term ensuring progression and challenge. These are adapted based on the individual needs of each cohort including meeting the needs of pupils with EAL, SEND, PP and vulnerabilities. These overviews also detail potential visitors, trips and events that promote cultural capital and widen life experiences.
We cover all the areas of learning, both inside and out, throughout the EYFS in continuous provision, planned enhanced provision and planned adult-directed activities. The balance of these varies on the age and needs of the children. Our provision is language rich and has challenging resources which promote learning.
Children are assessed through observations by practitioners that are moderated and quality assured by pre-school leaders, the reception lead, lead TAs and SLT. This ensures that the environment and planning is responsive to pupils’ needs.
Practitioners are trained by leaders to ensure they understand the areas of learning through a clear induction process and ongoing monitoring and evaluation, where support is put in place as needed. Staff are trained to communicate effectively, promote positive behaviour and conduct and support children’s development and enjoyment.
RWInc and Pre-RWInc strategies are taught and modelled throughout the curriculum. We have also developed a transition timeline to ensure smooth transition from EYFS to KS1. We work to ensure parents are actively involved through the use of tapestry and many open events, as well as parental engagement documents.
Impact
We aim for all pupils to leave the early foundation stage not just ready for KS1, not just with a good level of development, but as well-rounded individuals and passionate learners. We support our children through diverse and exciting curriculum that has prepared them for life and has challenged them. All pupils, including those with EAL, SEND, PP and vulnerabilities, will have achieved their best and will have acquired a range of knowledge and vocabulary to allow them to continue this growth within KS1.
This is all underpinned by the principles detailed within Development matters;
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 benefit from a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and/or carers.
importance of learning and development. Children develop and learn at different rates.
These three prime areas, are:
communication and language;
physical development; and
personal, social and emotional development.
The specific areas are:
literacy;
understanding the world; and
expressive arts and design.
For more details on how we cover these, please see our EYFS curriculum overviews below;
If you would like to find out more about our EYFS curriculum, please contact Miss Hubbard via the school office.