Welcome to the Early Years Foundation Stage

This page gives an insight into how we structure our children's learning. It enables you to see how we ensure that the experiences offered are both purposeful and engaging for our children. We strive to build on  first-hand experiences; drawing ideas from the children so as to foster their interests and ultimately develop a love of learning from the very start of school. 

 

Introduction

The Early Years Foundation Stage Framework is structured across seven areas of learning. These areas often overlap and children often apply skills and learning from several areas at once!

The seven areas are:

• Communication and Language

• Physical Development

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development

• Literacy

• Mathematics

• Understanding the World

• Expressive Arts and Design

 

Characteristics of Effective Learning in Reception

In order for children to learn effectively, the Early Years Foundation Stage encourages children to develop what we refer to as the ‘Characteristics of Effective Learning’. These are the ‘building blocks’, so to speak, of learning and encourage children to find out and explore, choose ways to do things, have a go, keep on trying, build on familiar experiences and make connections between different parts of their learning.

 

Adult and Child-Initiated Activities

Our children are also given lots of opportunities to direct their own learning alongside adult-led inputs. We plan challenges for them to complete in child-initiated learning time, which is also known formally as Continuous Provision These challenges help to embed skills taught during formal inputs and give an opportunity for learning through play.

 

Challenges will be based around areas of provision, which include;

• Sand

• Water

• Construction and Small World

• Reading Corner

• Writing/Mark Making Area

• Malleable Area

• Creative Area

• Maths Area

• Fine Motor Area

• Outside Area

• Role Play Area/Home Corner

 

Not every challenge in every lesson will relate to the topic or subject that is being taught at that time! Some will but you will find that others may be a continuation of activities from previous lessons as this enables the children to embed key concepts and knowledge. You will find that there may be activities specifically relating to children’s interests, individual next steps or opportunities to apply previous adult-led learning independently. Children are given the time to apply skills at their own pace whilst consolidating their learning with the support of an adult, as appropriate.