EYFS

Intent - What are we trying to achieve here with, and through, the curriculum?

In the EYFS at Bell Lane Primary School our aim is to ensure that every child is a competent learner who can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured. We recognise that children develop in individual ways, at varying rates. Children’s attitudes and dispositions to learning are influenced by feedback from others; we use praise and encouragement, as well as celebration and rewards, to encourage children to develop a positive attitude to learning.

We use ‘Development Matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)’ to support the delivery of a quality early education and child care and is part of daily observation, assessment and planning guide.

Implementation - So, how are we going to deliver this?

In our school we believe that all children matter. We give children every opportunity to achieve their best. We do this by taking account of our children’s range of life experiences when planning for their learning.

In the Foundation Stage we set realistic and challenging expectations that meet the needs of all children. We achieve this by planning to meet the needs of every child including those with special educational needs, children who are more able, children with physical disabilities, children from diverse social and cultural backgrounds, children of different ethnic groups and those from diverse linguistic backgrounds.

We meet the needs of all children through:

  • Planning opportunities that build upon and extend children’s knowledge, experience and interests, and develop their self-esteem and confidence.
  • Using a wide range of teaching strategies based on children’s learning needs.
  • Providing a wide range of opportunities to motivate and support children and to help them to learn effectively. E.g. trip to the library
  • Providing a safe and supportive learning environment in which the contribution of all children is valued.
  • Using resources which reflect diversity and are free from discrimination and stereotyping.
  • Planning challenging activities for all children.
  • Monitoring children’s progress and taking action to provide support as necessary.
  • Assessing our children on regular intervals.
  • Creating intervention groups to support children who need support and those who are more able.
  • Providing an extended day provision for the Nursery children. This enables us to meet the needs of our families who have working/college commitments.
  • Holding regular parent workshops which enables parents to support their child’s learning and development at home.
  • Smooth transition into Fee2, Nursery and Reception through Open Days, Parents Information sessions, Home Visits and Parent/Child/Teacher Meetings.

Impact: What difference is this curriculum making to our children?

The majority of the children in the EYFS have low starting points, but with the transition into the setting and the teachers focus on the child’s well-being, children quickly settle and begin to engage in learning. The children’s exposure to language and focus on adult engagement enables the majority of children to make rapid language development and enjoy coming to school.  We work with families to support all the needs of the children and families and have an open-door policy.

The children are exposed to early phonic in the Caterpillar class and Nursery and this has enabled the Reception children to make good progress with their reading skills. Children in all classes are read to on several occasions throughout the day and are exposed to books in all areas of the environment.

Children are beginning to use the ‘language of learning’ and are becoming more articulate in relation to this.

We are also focusing on ‘Understanding of the World’ - how children get to know about other people, the place where they live and about all aspects of the environment.

Playing and exploring

Active learning

Creating and thinking critically

Information about Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum

http://www.foundationyears.org.uk

Links to videos related to the 7 learning areas and programmes for 0 to 5 year olds:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/websites/eyfs

There are also many useful websites for early years children:

The following apps are recommended for young children:

  • Bugs and Buttons
  • Bugs and Numbers
  • The Singing Alphabet
  • Go Count!
  • The Land of Me –Making Things
  • The Land of Me –Shape, Size and Colour
  • The Land of Me –Songs and Rhymes
  • The Land of Me –Story Time
  • Me Books
  • iTrace