Our Early Years Intent

Our intent and expectations are underpinned by those of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (EYFS)

1. Our standards are set to ensure that every child makes progress and no child is left behind.
2. Every child is included and there is an equality of opportunity for all.
3. A working partnership is established between school and parents/carers, professionals and other settings they may attend.
4. An approach that ensures your child's care and learning is of high quality.
5. We lay a secure foundation for future learning.

6. To support transition into Key Stage 1

Early Years Implementation

We keep parents informed regularly through Tapestry, workshops, parent consultations and daily conversations to ensure children's transition into school and through the EYFS is happy and allows them to reach their full potential. We operate a continuous provision model, meaning that your child will become an independent learner and begin to take responsibility for their own learning and development. Within the learning and development theme there are SEVEN areas of learning which form the basis of the curriculum. These areas are:

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Physical Development

Communication and Language

Literacy

Mathematics

Understanding the World

Expressive Art and Design

We teach children  knowledge, skills and understanding through a child centred-curriculum building upon wow experiences and topics to ensure they access a variety of learning experiences and secure a good foundation for their lifelong learning. We encourage active learning to ensure the children are motivated and interested, taking time to get to know children's interests and their likes to support learning.

Daily guided activities are set up and planned that cover different areas of the EYFS curriculum and allow children to develop their next steps in learning. There is a range of stimulating and engaging activities which the children can access independently and a variety of opportunities for child-initiated play.

We ensure activities support the Characteristics of Effective Learning to ensure learning takes place. These are:

Playing and exploring- children investigate and experience things, and 'have a go.'

Active Learning-children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties, and enjoy achievements.

Creating and thinking critically- children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas and develop strategies for doing things.

Children in both Nursery and Reception learn by playing and exploring, being active, and through creative and critical thinking which takes place both indoors and outside. Our outdoor provision is used daily all year round and in most weather conditions.

Staff in the EYFS make regular observations of the children's learning to ensure their next steps are met. These are collected and collated in each child's online Learning Journey, where parents are able to comment on, discuss and share findings regarding their child's development.

Early Years Impact

We strive to ensure that our children's progress across the EYFS (Reception) curriculum is at least good from their varied starting points, ensuring that the children reach the Early Learning Goals at the end of Reception.

We measure impact through evidence and observations in children's online Learning Journeys using Tapestry which support all areas of the EYFS curriculum.

Observations and formative assessments inform future planning and ensure that all children are able to build on their current knowledge, skills and vocabulary at a good pace.

Assessment judgements are moderated both in school and externally within the locality and local schools. Experienced staff undertake moderation training through the LA which helps validate school judgements.