Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

The EYFS sets the standards that all early years providers must meet to ensure that the children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. It promotes teaching and learning to ensure children's "school readiness" and gives the children the broad range of knowledge and skills that provide the right foundation for good future progress through school and life.

The overarching principles are : the unique child, positive relationships, enabling environments and that children develop and learn in different ways and rates.

There are seven areas of learning and development that shape our educational programme as well as Cultural Capital, which enables the children to experience the awe and wonder of the world in which we live.The seven areas are listed below.

Within these areas we are aware of the different ways children learn. The three characteristics of effective learning are:

playing and exploring

active learning

creating and thinking critically

Personal, Social & Emotional Development

Helping children to develop a positive sense of themselves, forming positive relationships, to develop social skills and learn to manage their feelings: to understand appropriate behaviour in groups and to have confidence in their own abilities.

Communication & Language

Opportunities to experience a rich language environment: to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves: to speak and listen in a range of situations.

Physical Development

Providing opportunities to be active and interactive: to develop coordination, control and movement. To understand the importance of physical activity and to make healthy choices in relation to food.

Maths

To develop and improve skills in counting, understanding and using number, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems and to describe shapes,spaces and measure.

Literacy

Encouraging children to link sounds and letters and to begin to read and write. To have access to a wide range of reading materials to ignite their interest.

Understanding the World

For children to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment.

Expressive Art and Design

Enabling children to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials, as well as providing opportunities and encouragement for sharing their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role play and design and technology.

Observation and Assessment

Assessment plays an important part in helping parents, carers and practitioners to recognise children's progress, understand needs and to plan activities and support. Ongoing assessment is an integral part of the learning and development process. It involves practitioners observing children, to understand their level of achievements, interests and learning styles and then shape learning experiences for each child reflecting those observations.

Parents/carers will be kept up to date with their child's progress and development. Practitioners will address any learning and development needs in partnership with parents/carers and any relevant professionals

When your child leaves our Preschool, you will receive a short written report , highlighting your children strengths and next steps. This report will be passed on to their new school. You will also receive a Memory Book created during their time with us.

Progress check at age two.

When a child is aged between two and three, practitioners will review progress and provide parents/carers with a short written summary of their child's development in the three prime areas. The progress check will identify the child's strengths and any areas where the child's progress is less than expected. If there is any significant emerging concern, practitioners will develop a targeted plan to support the child involving the parents/carers and other professionals