Intent

The Early Years curriculum is designed to provide a broad and balanced education that meets the needs of all children. It facilitates them to gain the skills, knowledge and understanding as they start out on their educational journey, supporting them to progress from their individual starting points and preparing them for the next stage of their education. At Leyland St James’ we want our children to develop a love for learning, a sense of pride in themselves and respect for others and the world around them.

We will provide an ambitious curriculum which enables children to develop their curiosity and problem solving by creating an engaging and stimulating environment, both inside and outdoors, which supports and challenges learning. Through the seven areas of learning we provide topics that excite and engage children, building upon own interests and developing their experiences of the wider world around them. We recognise that children enter into our setting with varied experiences and all staff work hard to ensure that the learning opportunities provided widen their knowledge and understanding of the world.

Through developing learning behaviours such as playing and exploring, active learning and creating and thinking critically, we hope for children to become independent with their own learning giving encouragement to develop resilience and manage risks. This will prepare children to reach the Early Learning Goals at the end of the Foundation Stage and ensure children make good progress from their starting points.

Implementation

The EYFS curriculum follows the ‘Statutory Framework for the early years foundation stage – setting the standards for learning, development and care for children from birth to five.’  Our curriculum design ensures all of our children, regardless of need and background learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe.  We weave our whole school curriculum drivers throughout the delivery of the Early Years Curriculum.

Four overarching principles shape the practice in our early years settings. These are:

• 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 practitioner and parents/carers.
• Importance of learning and development. Children develop and learn at different rates. The EYFS framework covers the education and care of all children in early years provision, including children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

At Leyland St James’ Primary school, we promote the learning and development of all children in reception to ensure that they are equipped with the skills, knowledge and foundations to start their school journey benefitting fully from the opportunities ahead of them.

There are seven areas of learning and development which shape our EYFS curriculum alongside the Characteristics of Effective Learning. All these areas are important and inter-connected.  The seven areas are as follows:

Three prime areas which ignite curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, forming relations and thriving are:

• Communication and language
• Physical development
• Personal, social and emotional development

Four specific areas (through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied) are:

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the world
• Expressive arts and design

The Characteristics of effective learning which underpin our curriculum design and teaching pedagogy are:

• Playing and exploring – through investigation, exploration and problem solving, and ‘have a go’
• Active learning - children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties and enjoy achievements
• Creating and thinking critically – children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things

The development level that children are expected to attain by the end of the EYFS is defined by the early learning goals (ELGs). The ELGS are:

Communication and Language

• ELG: Listening, attention and understanding
• ELG: Speaking

Personal, social and emotional development

• ELG: Self-Regulation
• ELG: Managing Self
• ELG: Building Relationships

Physical Development

• ELG: Gross Motor Skills
• ELG: Fine Motor Skills

Literacy

• ELG: Comprehension
• ELG: Word Reading
• ELG: Writing

Mathematics

• ELG: Number
• ELG: Numerical Patterns

Understanding the World

• ELG: Past and Present
• ELG: People, Culture and Communities
• ELG: The Natural World

Expressive Arts and Design

• ELG: Creating with Materials
• ELG: Being Imaginative and Expressive

Our phonic scheme Little Wandle supports the children to develop early reading and systematic phonics through daily phonic lessons and reading practices. Children are consistently extending their range of vocabulary and language comprehension as well as developing decoding and prosody skills to become fluent readers. We ensure children are exposed to language rich environments and are immersed in rich vocabulary through: exposure to high quality interactions; stories, poems, non-fiction texts, nursery rhymes, singing songs and playing games.

Throughout the year, EYFS staff make regular informal observations of the children’s learning, and collaborate together to ensure their next steps are met. The staff use a variety of methods for professional discussion about the children's learning journey. We regularly assess where the children are using the Development Matters and then ensure our planning, adult interaction and learning environment support children to reach their next steps. We keep parents informed and we meet regularly with parents and carers to ensure children’s transition into school and through the EYFS is happy and allows them to reach their potential with the support needed. This includes learning together sessions, workshops, seesaw and parent evenings.

Impact

The unique child has every opportunity to learn and achieve and develop a sense of self-awareness and become confident in their own abilities. We are empowering children to develop the essential skills and attributes they need to thrive and reach their full potential. We are committed to continuing to build on these successes and to ensure that every child has the best possible start in life. Our children develop the love of reading; a large emphasis is given to communication and language, extending their range of vocabulary and language comprehension. By the end of EYFS children will:

• Have strong communication skills.
• Demonstrate self-regulation, emotional resilience and perseverance.
• Be kind, respectful and honest.
• Enjoy school life.
• Make secure friendships