Early Years foundation stage (eyfs)
“Play is often talked about as if it was a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play really is the work of childhood.” – Fred Rogers
In the EYFS children learn best when they experience learning first hand, through meaningful interactions with others, through physical activity and through play. Our curriculum approach is underpinned by a strong understanding of how children learn, with continuous opportunities for outdoor play and exploratory learning.
At Millfields Primary School we know how important a child’s first year at primary school is. In our Reception Class, we aim to provide a stimulating and caring environment in which we can instil a love of learning for all of our children. We aim to build our pupils’ resilience, curiosity and independence during their first year with us, alongside enabling them to reach their full potential in their learning, through the provision of exciting and challenging learning experiences across the curriculum.
The Early Years curriculum emphasises three prime areas of learning:
- Personal, social and emotional
- Communication and Language
- Physical
The curriculum breaks down into four specific areas of learning:
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the world
- Expressive arts and design
We follow the 2020 Statutory framework of the EYFS and the four guiding principles that shape practice within the Early Years classroom:
- Every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.
- Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships.
- Children learn and develop well in enabling environments with teaching and support from adults, who respond to their individual interests and needs and help them to build their learning over time. Children benefit from a strong partnership between staff and parents/carers.
- Children develop and learn at different rates. The framework covers the education and care of all children in the early years, including children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Teaching in the EYFS is organised through a range of approaches and provides a balance of child initiated and adult-led activities:
- Opportunities for teachers to work alongside children as they develop their own interests in particular areas of the curriculum.
- Planned focused activities where adults work with a small group of children at a time. Teachers will differentiate the activity to meet the needs of every child participating.
- Small group teaching of early reading and writing through a phonics based programme called Little Wandle.
- Whole class teaching for short periods of time such as shared storytime, direct teaching (for example of maths), songs and rhymes, discussions and sharing work.
Early Years & Foundation Stafe (EYFS) Leader - Mrs Katie Thompson
Early Years & Foundation Stafe (EYFS) Link Governor - Mrs Leigh-Ann Munt