Early Years Foundation Stage

The EYFS is a stage of children’s development from birth to the end of their first year in school. The first five years see the greatest growth and learning for all children. Early years practitioners work with children and their families to support their development and learning.

The EYFS is based on four principles:

A Unique Child: Every child is a competent learner from birth who can be resilient, confident and self-assured.
Positive Relationships: Children learn to be strong and independent from a base of loving and secure relationships with parents and/or a key person.
Enabling Environments: The environment plays a key role in supporting and extending children’s development and learning.
Learning & Development: Children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates and all areas of Learning and Development are equally important and interconnected.

Prime Areas

Communication and Language; developing speaking, listening and understanding
Personal, Social and Emotional Development; developing social skills, self-confidence, self-awareness and learning how to manage feeling and behaviour
Physical Development; developing large motor movements such as running, jumping, throwing, catching etc., as well as fine motor movements such as mark making, writing and tracing. Children also develop their health and self-care.

Specific Areas

Literacy; developing Reading, Writing and knowledge of Phonics
Maths; developing Number and Space, Shape and Measure
Understanding of the World; developing their knowledge of People and Communities, The World and Technology
Expressive Arts and Design; developing and nurturing children's creative talents through art, singing as well as developing their imaginary play skills.

Our Nursery and Reception classes share a large outdoor space as well as having their own undercover areas, enabling outdoor access whatever the weather. Children start Nursery in the term after they are three years old. If children start in January or April, they move to Reception the following September, after completing four or five terms respectively.