At the Blue Hills Federation of schools, our Early Years Teams work together to establish the building blocks to nurture the development of children’s independent learning, working collaboratively with older year groups, preparing them fully for the exciting journey into Key Stage 1 and then on to Key Stage 2. Our School Vision underpins all learning throughout the EYFS, allowing children to have the correct foundations not just for their school life but also their adult life. We also ensure children from a young age begin to show, use and develop an understanding of our key values.
We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum through Nursery and into Reception. Children learn through play. Their learning environment accommodates their thirst for knowledge and eagerness to explore, through adult-led and child-initiated activities, both indoor and outdoor. Such activities follow the children’s ideas and interests whilst working towards the Early Learning Goals. Our Early Years classrooms and outdoor areas are highly resourced to provide the opportunities to learn through play. We ignite children’s curiosity through a range of topics. We value strong home-school links and actively encourage parents to communicate with us about how and what their child enjoys learning at home.
The EYFS is broken into seven areas of learning:
Communication and Language
Through speaking, listening and attention developing activities we provide children with the skills in communication and language for children to become life-long learners.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
In our nurturing environments, children learn to self-regulate, build relationships and manage themselves.
Physical Development
Through gross and fine motor activities, children develop physical skills to be able to write, use tools and move with freedom and skill.
Literacy
We develop a child’s love of reading from the first moment they step through the school gate and provide them the foundations to become a competent reader and writer, through our progressive phonics teaching, using the Little Wandle scheme.
Mathematics
Children develop an interest and love of maths, through practical activities based on the Mastering Number approach.
Understanding the World
Children begin to learn the essential skills of observation, questioning, evaluation and commenting, which are essential for their future study of RE, History, Geography, Science and Computing.
Expressive Arts and Design
Through adult-led and child-initiated activities, children can express themselves, be creative and learn skills through art, dance, music, drama and role play.