The EYFS

The experiences, planned for and explored within the Foundation Stage by the Early Years’ children, are based within seven areas of learning and Development:

Built into these are Early Learning Goals which are not a curriculum in themselves but establish expectations for most children to reach by the close of the Foundation stage.

The curriculum is designed such that transition into Reception from Nursery and Year 1 from Reception, ensures continuity, progression and security.

Early childhood is the foundation on which children build the rest of their lives. At All Saints CEVA Primary School, we greatly value the importance that the EYFS plays in laying secure foundations for future learning and development. However, we also believe that early childhood is valid in itself as part of life. It is important to view the EYFS as preparation for life and not simply preparation for the next stage of education. 

At All Saints CEVA Primary School, we aim to:

• Provide a safe, challenging, stimulating, caring and sharing environment which is sensitive to the needs of the child including children with additional needs.

• Provide a broad, balanced, relevant and creative curriculum that will set in place firm foundations for further learning and development in Key Stage 1 and beyond.

• Use and value what each child can do, assessing their individual needs and helping each child to progress.

• Enable choice and decision making, fostering independence and self-confidence.

• Work in partnership with parents and guardians and value their contributions. 

• Ensure that all children, irrespective of ethnicity, culture, religion, home language, family background, learning difficulties, disabilities, gender or ability, feel secure, accepted and that they belong within our school community. 

• Provide opportunities whereby children experience a challenging and enjoyable programme of learning and development.

• Provide experiences for all children, whatever their needs, which are inclusive rather than parallel.

Good planning is the key to making children’s learning effective, exciting, varied and progressive. Effective learning builds on and extends what children know and can already do. Our curriculum is based upon the principles of the EYFS and is always informed by observations we have made of the children, in order to understand and consider their current interests, development and learning needs. We use Development Matters to support our curriculum design. 

The planning within the EYFS is based around the children’s interests, as well as a range of exciting projects from Cornerstones. These plans are used by the EYFS team as a guide for weekly planning. However, we may alter these in response to the needs of the children. As our Nursery and Reception have shared learning environments we follow a two year rolling programme - Year A and Year B. These are carefully differentiated to meet the learning and development needs of the varying age groups.

If you feel like you require any more information on the Early Years Foundation Stage, please do talk to one of the team.