The Early Years Foundation Stage, or EYFS, is the framework that sets the standards for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years old in England. At LAPW, the EYFS covers children in Reception classes. It focuses on play-based learning and development across seven key areas: Communication and Language; Physical Development; Personal, Social and Emotional Development; Literacy; Mathematics; Understanding the World; and Expressive Arts and Design. The EYFS aims to ensure that children have a happy, healthy, and safe start to their school journey, building a strong foundation for their future learning.

Intent

At Leigh Academy Paddock Wood, our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides a nurturing and stimulating environment where children are empowered to become curious, confident, and capable learners.

Guided by the principles of the Primary Years Programme (PYP), we aim to foster a love of learning by igniting children's natural curiosity and encouraging them to explore, question, and make connections with the world around them through play-based inquiry. We aim to develop holistic development by recognising and valuing the unique potential of each child, nurturing their social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and creative development through a balanced and engaging curriculum. We introduce children to diverse perspectives and cultures, through careful planning, fostering an understanding and appreciation of the interconnectedness of our world. We endeavour to empower children to take an active role in their learning, encouraging them to make choices, express their ideas, and become independent thinkers. In order to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning we will equip children with essential skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will enable them to thrive as they progress through the academy and beyond. We intend to create a collaborative learning community as we value the partnership between children, families, and educators, working together to create a supportive and inclusive environment where every child feels valued and belongs.

Through purposeful play, meaningful interactions, and a stimulating learning environment, we strive to create a positive and impactful start to each child's educational journey at Leigh Academy Paddock Wood.

Implementation

Our EYFS provision is rooted in the principles and practices of the PYP. We believe that the Early Years are crucial for laying the foundations for lifelong learning, fostering curiosity, and developing confident, caring, and internationally-minded young learners. Our implementation of the EYFS framework is therefore intrinsically linked to the PYP philosophy, ensuring a holistic and inquiry-based approach to early childhood education.

We recognise that children's learning and development are interconnected. Our curriculum is designed to address all areas of learning and development outlined in the EYFS statutory framework – Communication and Language, Physical Development, Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, and Expressive Arts and Design. Central to both the EYFS and the PYP is the belief that children are active learners who learn best through exploration, investigation, and questioning. Our learning environments and teaching practices encourage children to inquire into the world around them, make connections, and develop their own understanding. This is facilitated through carefully planned play-based learning experiences that spark curiosity and promote critical thinking. We value children's voices and empower them to take ownership of their learning. Our teachers act as facilitators, observing and listening to children's interests and ideas, and using these as starting points for inquiry. We provide opportunities for children to make choices, initiate activities, and develop their independence.

Play is fundamental to young children's development. We provide a rich and stimulating environment where children can engage in purposeful play that supports their social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Learning experiences are carefully planned and resourced to allow for both child-initiated and adult-led activities that align with the EYFS learning goals and the current Unit of Inquiry.

We actively nurture the attributes of the IB Learner Profile – Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Thinkers, Communicators, Principled, Open-minded, Caring, Risk-takers, Balanced, and Reflective – within our EYFS setting. Our daily interactions, activities, and learning experiences are designed to support the development of these essential qualities.

We utilise a range of formative and summative assessment strategies, aligned with both the EYFS and PYP assessment principles, to monitor children's progress and understanding. This includes observations, child-initiated work and focused tasks. Assessment informs our planning and helps us to tailor our provision to meet the individual needs of each child.

Our indoor and outdoor learning spaces are carefully designed to be engaging, accessible, and to promote exploration, independence, and collaboration. Resources are thoughtfully selected to support inquiry and reflect the diverse needs and interests of all our children.

We recognise the vital role that parents and carers play in children's learning and development. We foster strong partnerships with all in the community through open communication, regular updates, opportunities for involvement, and collaborative learning experiences. Our EYFS team engages in ongoing professional development to ensure a deep understanding of both the EYFS framework and the PYP philosophy and to continuously enhance our practice.

By implementing the EYFS within the framework of the PYP, we aim to provide a dynamic, engaging, and developmentally appropriate early learning experience that empowers our youngest learners to become active, compassionate, and lifelong learners, ready to thrive in a global community.

Impact

At LAPW, the impact of our EYFS provision is evident in the strong foundations laid for future academic success and the development of essential life skills.

Our EYFS curriculum ensures children develop essential skills in all areas of learning. This robust foundation equips them for the milestones of Key Stage 1 and beyond.

We see children:

Developing strong oral language skills and expressing themselves clearly.
Demonstrating increasing independence in their self-care and physical coordination.
Building positive relationships and showing empathy towards others.
Making good progress in early reading, writing, and mathematical concepts.

Through play-based learning and carefully planned provocations, children are encouraged to ask questions, explore their surroundings, and develop a natural curiosity about the world. This fosters their ability to inquire, research, and construct their own understanding. We regularly observe children:

Confidently asking "why?" and seeking answers through exploration.
Demonstrating a growing ability to make connections and form hypotheses.

The skills, knowledge, and attitudes developed in our EYFS provide a strong and confident start to academy life. Children transition smoothly into Year 1 with a positive attitude towards learning, well-developed social skills, and a solid foundation in key academic areas. This early success sets them on a trajectory for continued growth and achievement throughout their primary education and beyond.

We actively involve parents/carers as partners in their child's learning journey. Through regular communication, workshops, and opportunities to participate in academy life, we foster a strong home-academy connection that supports children's holistic development and reinforces the principles of the PYP.

In conclusion, our EYFS curriculum, underpinned by the PYP framework, has a significant and positive impact on our youngest learners. It cultivates a love of learning, develops essential skills, nurtures the attributes of the IB Learner Profile, and ensures a smooth and successful transition into Key Stage 1. We are proud of the confident, capable, and caring individuals our EYFS children become, laying a strong foundation for their lifelong learning journey.

What we do at LAPW...

We are proud to benefit from the expertise of a dedicated EYFS Curriculum Advisor, who ensures our curriculum is at the forefront of best practice, continually reviewed and refined to meet the diverse needs of our youngest learners. Our commitment to excellence is further strengthened through regular LAT (Leigh Academy Trust) EYFS Forums, fostering collaboration and shared expertise amongst our academy family. This collaborative approach underpins our clear EYFS Curriculum, which is carefully designed to spark curiosity, promote independence, and build foundational skills across all areas of learning. Crucially, our children also benefit from a fantastic designated outdoor area, providing ample opportunities for exploration, active learning, and connection with the natural world, all vital for holistic development in the early years.