Reception - Early Years Foundation Stage
When children join our school, in the September following their fourth birthday, they enter the final part of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) which they will probably have already been working on in pre-school and nursery settings. Our Hedgehog Class is taught by Miss Cook and has both children in Early Years as well as our Year One children in a mixed aged class. The Early Years curriculum builds on their prior progress and successes. We use an observation based "Baseline Assessment" system to help us quickly identify each child's strengths, areas for development and next steps even more effectively than before.
Learning in the EYFS focusses on seven key areas of learning and encourages learners to develop confidence, independence, skills and understanding. These are the seven key areas are detailed below. Learning is assessed mainly through observation, through which the teacher and support staff gather evidence in the form of notes, photographs, examples of pupil "work" and their explanations. Sometime video evidence may also be gathered. It is important for parents to be involved in the gathering of evidence to support assessment judgements. Children often exhibit particular skills and thinking at home but not in school and vice versa. We value the contribution of parents in helping us to build up a full picture of each child.
PERSONAL, SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
PRIME AREA OF LEARNING
This area of learning covers three key elements:
- Making Relationships
- Self-confidence and Self-awareness
- Managing Feelings and Behaviour
Personal, Social and Emotional Development is a vital part of early development. It will help learners to relate well to other children and adults, make friends and get on with others, feel secure and valued, explore and learn confidently; and ultimately to feel good about themselves.
On a day to basis children learn by playing together, sharing resources, identifying and celebrating learning and successes and managing the demands of day to day interactions. Children are encouraged to join in collaborative learning, make choices and talk with others e.g. during circle times and snack times. Some activities on offer specifically demand cooperation or to present new challenges and experiences in a supportive environment.
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
PRIME AREA OF LEARNING
This area of learning covers two key elements:
- Moving and Handling
- Health and Self-care
The value of Physical Development must not be underestimated. Scientific research demonstrates that over 60% of early cognitive development is dependent on physical activity. Children, in the Early Years, need regular physical activity.
Pupils are, as far as possible, given free flow to move inside or out as they wish. Active play and the freedom to move around is encouraged and equipment such as scooters, tricycles, balls and similar are made available for children to select.
The benefits of a healthy lifestyle and independence in managing day to day hygiene are encouraged through specific teaching and daily routines such as sharing healthy snacks, joining in physical activity, changing for PE, washing hands and toileting.
COMMUNICATION & LANGUAGE
PRIME AREA OF LEARNING
This area of learning covers three key elements:
- Listening and Attention
- Understanding
- Speaking
The ability to communicate effectively is essential for learning and life. Children are encouraged to talk and explain through thoughtful questioning and engaging in conversations with other children and adults.
The daily routine includes group activities in which children listen to the teacher and respond, stories are shared and discussed and explanations are given introducing new ideas. Children are encouraged to give increasingly full responses, expand on what they have already said and use more adventurous vocabulary.
LITERACY
SPECIFIC AREA OF LEARNING
This area of learning covers two key elements:
- Reading
- Writing
Two of life's essentials, reading and writing are major focus in the EYFS. Initially the focus is on the familiar (names and classroom language) and the introduction of phonics, the building blocks of words both from decoding them in reading and recording them in writing. Children rehease the writing of letters and words alongside a range of activities designed to help them develop control over their hand movements (fine motor skills).
Opportunities for reading and writing are a daily feature of the provision. Children are encouraged to get involved at a pace appropriate to each individual. There are plenty of engaging books on offer and writing often forms part of role play.
MATHEMATICS
SPECIFIC AREA OF LEARNING
This area of learning covers two key elements:
- Number
- Shape, Space and Measures
Also essential for learning and life, number, shape, space and measures are introduced through play and practical activities helping children to recognise numbers and their meaning, counting and sequencing and comparing things according to size and other characteristics. Shapes are introduced in terms of their basic features and found in the school and wider environment.
Maths opportunities in the context of play are encouraged through questioning and problem solving e.g. counting cars, finding out how many will fit in a container etc. Calculations are introduced through songs, poems and games as well as real life applications e.g. How many more do I need to fill the tray?
UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD
SPECIFIC AREA OF LEARNING
This area of learning covers three key elements:
- People and Communities
- The World
- Technologies
Children love to explore and this is strongly encouraged with provision for finding out inside and outside the classroom. Activities include examining objects, sorting and searching for things such as minibeasts, plants or made objects.
A wide range of devices are made available for use in play and exploration e.g. metal detectors, mobile phone stile communcation devices, remote control cares, voice recorders etc. to help children can the skills and understanding of how these may be used to solve problems and make life more efficient, making choices.
Children are also introduced to a range of roles through play, visits and visitors as well as story and the relationships they form with one-another and with the adults who support them.
EXPRESSIVE ARTS & DESIGN
SPECIFIC AREA OF LEARNING
This area of learning covers two key elements:
- Exploring and Using Media and Materials
- Being Imaginative
Creative activities are a daily feature of provision in the Early Years. Painting, drawing, cutting, sticking and crafts of various types, some more directed but many open ended and unprescribed to allow children to explore possibilities and learn key practical skills for later learning.