Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) |
Intent: What We Want To Achieve:
Our Early Years Foundation Stage at Silsoe VC Lower School aims to provide a curriculum for children age five and under that will
produce happy, confident and inquiring children who are interested in learning and enthusiastic about the challenges they
encounter. We believe that the work the children do in the Early Years Foundation Stage is the basis on which they build the rest
of their lives. The children in our Reception classes learn through a range of play based opportunities as well as adult led and
independent activities. All staff within the Early Years Foundation Stage have an excellent wealth of experience, knowledge and
understanding about how the youngest pupils in our school learn and develop. All staff are involved in planning a wide range of
exciting activities that promote our core values of determination and perseverance and the children are encouraged to take
responsibility for their own learning.
Implementation: How We Will Achieve This:
- We will follow the Early Years Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, published in 2021 by the DfES. We
ensure that we cover both the Prime and Specific areas of learning. - Expectations for achievement and behaviour in the Reception classes will be very high.
- Every child is recognised as a unique individual and differences will be welcomed and celebrated.
- Adult led and independent learning experiences will be carefully planned in an integrated and methodical way and will be broad
and balanced. - We will use Values Education to promote positive attitudes to both learning and behaviour.
- We place a strong emphasis on the religious, spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of all our pupils.
- The needs of the pupils learning will be incorporated into all teaching. They will be given opportunities to observe, explore,
experiment, investigate, communicate, reason, describe, classify, make decisions, compare, share and form relationships with
their peers and adults. - All teaching will match the pupil’s ability and activities will be appropriately differentiated.
- The pupils learning will be supported by positive reinforcement, intervention and interaction.
- Support staff will be used very effectively.
- The pupils will have independent access to a stimulating curriculum both indoors and outdoors on a daily basis. The outdoor
environment includes access to a covered area which helps to further enhance the children's learning through exploring and
gaining new learning experiences engaging with the outdoor environment whatever the weather. - Previous information from Pre-School, nurseries and parents will be used to build up a picture of each child and their potential.
- Assessments will be used to provide further information about each child’s achievements and the class teacher will share these
with the children’s parents via parent’s consultation meetings, book looks, stay and play sessions and through the children’s
reading diaries. - Parents are valued as first educators and every effort is made to inform them of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum
and provide them with the tools to continue learning at home - Staff working within the Early Years Foundation Stage receive regular training to ensure their interactions with the children
reflect current best practice, are valuable, support each individual child and move learning on.
Impact: The Intended Outcomes Of The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum:
- The pupils will develop into happy, independent, confident and determined learners who are able to communicate well and have
the ability to think critically and share their thoughts and ideas with others. - The pupils will achieve very highly in all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage and will achieve age/ability related
expectations by the end of their Reception year in school - The pupils will have the confidence and skills to make decisions and self-evaluate, make connections and become lifelong
learners - The pupils will feel safe in school and will be happy to try new things
- The pupils will develop and nurture strong, positive attitudes where they become proud and respectful of themselves, others
and their environment. - The curriculum will help to provide a smooth transition into Key Stage One by encouraging the children to become resilient and
independent learners