Early Years Foundation Stage
Our Early Years leader is Mrs Hall.
Curriculum Principles
At East Ward and across Vision MAT, we use Development Matters, non-statutory guidance for the EYFS, alongside the Early Years Statutory Framework. Development Matters 2021 demonstrates how the four themes of the EYFS Framework and the principles that inform them work together to support the development of babies, toddlers and young children within the context of the EYFS framework. The document also illustrates how the ‘Characteristics of Effective Learning’ may be supported and extended by adults as well as how they underpin the ‘Prime’ and ‘Specific’ areas of learning and development. Development Matters supports our practitioners when planning, observing and assessing and also provides guidance when making 'best-fit judgements' on the development of each individual child meaning support can quickly be put into place to ensure children 'keep up' with their friends.
Our curriculum is designed to provide a broad, balanced, differentiated curriculum which addresses the children’s social, emotional, physical, intellectual, moral and cultural development within a safe, secure, stimulating environment. In the EYFS, our themes complement our Learning Challenge curriculum with activities and learning experiences that are planned to enable each child to learn and develop skills, attitudes and understanding, both with adults and independently, in the different areas of learning.
Curriculum Intent
At East Ward we greatly value the important role that the EYFS plays in laying secure foundations for future learning. We believe that children learn best through carefully planned, developmentally appropriate play-based activities. We also value the importance of routine, structure and stability for our children many of whom come from some of the most deprived social backgrounds. We want our children to be ambitions and support them in understanding and living our core values: Happy, Proud, Challenged and Successful.
We have 5 clear aims we want our children to be:
- Ready to learn: Children have a positive, confident attitude to learning. They are both physically and emotionally ready to learn.
- Resourceful: Children show initiative, ask well thought out questions and are prepared to use a variety of strategies to learn.
- Reflective: Children are curious, able and willing to learn from their mistakes and can describe their progress
- Resilient: Children are prepared to persevere and stay involved in their learning, even when the process is challenging.
- Reciprocal: Children are prepared to help each other and work as a team.
We believe that an Education that does all of this gives children the best chance to become well rounded, happy individuals, ready to succeed in an ever-changing world.
Implementation
Here in the Early Years Foundation Stage at East Ward, we offer a curriculum which is broad and balanced which builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills of all children, whatever their starting points. We follow the Development Matters guidance and use topic themes and enrichment opportunities. The aim of our curriculum is to develop a ‘thirst and love for learning’ and to create ‘awe and wonder’ memories.
Each half term, the EYFS curriculum is guided by an open-ended learning question or statement linked to a key text. Teacher’s plan for exciting learning opportunities that provide our children with experiences they may never have had before. Children are encouraged to lead their own learning and teachers use their knowledge of each individual child to ensure children’s interest and needs are catered for in order for them to progress in all areas of the EYFS. Mark making, Making Conversation and Mathematics are at the heart of the teaching and learning that takes place in the EYFS and there is a sharp focus on children’s opportunity to problem solve, wonder, interact, explore and observe. Challenges across the curriculum allow children to be independent with their own learning, preparing for KS1 and beyond.
Impact
At the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage, children will have developed the essential knowledge and skills required for everyday life and lifelong learning. Our children will be well rounded, happy, inquisitive and successful learners. They will know, understand and live our core values of Happy, Challenged, Successful and Proud. From their own starting points, children will make excellent progress academically and socially; developing a sense of themselves so that they are well prepared for the transition into Key Stage 1.
Please click on the files below to view our half-termly Early Years newsletters for 2023-2024: