Early Years Foundation Stage
EYFS at Grange C of E School
Introduction
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) applies to children from birth to the end of the reception year. In Nursery children begin in the term after they are three and are entitled to fifteen hours of provision per week or 30 hours of provision subject to their parent/s being in work and able to claim the extended hours. This is also subject to spaces being available in the nursery. If there are spare places we do on occasions allow children to start nursery as soon as they are three however parents would need to pay for this provision.
The Curriculum
Our early years setting follows the curriculum as outlined in the latest version of the EYFS statutory framework that applies from September 2021.
The EYFS framework includes 7 areas of learning and development that are equally important and inter-connected. However, 3 areas known as the prime areas are seen as particularly important for igniting curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building children’s capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive.
The prime areas are:
• Communication and language
• Physical development
• Personal, social and emotional development
The prime areas are strengthened and applied through 4 specific areas:
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the world
• Expressive arts and design
Characteristics of Effective Learning
The EYFS also includes the characteristics of effective teaching and learning. The Nursery and Reception teachers plan activities within the Nursery and Reception classrooms with these in mind. They highlight the importance of a child’s attitude to learning and their ability to play, explore and think critically about the world around them. The three characteristics 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.
At Grange Cof E Primary School we recognise that every child is unique and that they develop and learn in different ways and at varying rates. We wish to inspire our children to develop a positive attitude to learning and therefore we strive for our children to be full ore and wonder, curious about the world, resilient and self-assured in order to prepare them for the next stage of education, laying secure foundations for their future development. To ensure this happens we look at the needs of each child, the interests of the cohort and the aspects of learning which need further development when we plan the teaching and learning. We use the outdoor and indoor experiences and planned opportunities to motivate and challenge them.
How do we record progress?
We use ‘Tapestry’ an online programme, to capture key moments which we share with parents/carers. Through our own observations, knowledge of the child and images, we can develop a clear picture of each child. This then forms a basis for next steps and ultimately to assess against Early Learning Goals for readiness for Y1 at the end of the Reception year.
