In the Early Years, children learn through playing and exploring and we build our day to day practice to reflect the children's interest, meeting the key areas of the curriculum while responding to where their curiosity and exploration take them.

The curriculum is statutory and is separated into seven areas of learning and development, three prime - Personal, Social & Emotional Development; Communications and Language; Physical Development - and four specific areas - Literacy; Mathematics; Understanding the World and Expressive Arts & Design. All of these are explained in more detail in the presentation below.

We work really closely with our families to help Ellingham children achieve in these key areas. Our observations and conversations in school help us make assessments and we record our photos, videos and comments on Tapestry, an online app, which is shared with families weekly. The app also enables families to contribute to their child’s journal making the assessment process a shared record.

There are two parent/carers' consultations as well as curriculum briefings and a report at the end of the year. The team are always available to talk at the beginning and end of the day or via their year group email.