EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION STAGE

 

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) at Whitley Park comprises of a large, purpose-built Nursery and three Reception classes.

Our bright, spacious nursery with its own garden was built in 2011 and caters for a maximum of 120 children. Children can attend nursery the term after their third birthday and we offer 15 hours of nursery entitlement across different sessions. We also offer a number of 30-hour sessions for those children who are eligible. Please see the Nursery Welcome Brochure for more details about our provision and about the sessions we offer in the Nursery.

Our Reception unit has space for three classes of up to 30 children in each class. Children share some communal spaces inside such as a group room, book area, cloakroom and kitchen and they also share an outside learning space too.

 

 

In partnership with parents and carers we enable our children to begin the process of becoming lifelong learners. Our intent is to ensure that children “learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe.”  We aim to support children in their learning to “ensure children’s ‘school readiness’ and to build knowledge and skills in order to lay secure foundations for future learning and development.

In accordance with our school values, we aim for our children to have high aspirations for themselves as learners, to embrace their individual talents and together achieve well in all aspects of school life.

we believe that enjoyment through an engaging, ambitious and purposeful Early Years curriculum and provision promotes aspiration, belief and achievement.

The EYFS is based upon four principles, which shape our practice:

• A unique child – who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.
• Positive relationships –providing warm and secure relationships and supporting our children to be happy, curious and independent. 
• Enabling environments – where opportunities and experiences respond to children’s individual and unique needs. and where there is a strong partnership between practitioners, parents/carers and the child. 
• Learning and developing – An acknowledgement that children learn in different ways and at different rates including children with special educational needs and disabilities.

We know that children are born with a natural desire to explore and learn and they do their deepest and most meaningful learning through play. At Whitley Park, children take part in a range of indoor and outdoor learning opportunities and our provision provides opportunities for children to acquire knowledge, develop skills, grow in confidence and practise resilience.

Early Years Foundation Stage framework

In the EYFS we are guided by the Statutory Framework which sets the standards for learning, development and care for our children

The curriculum is carefully planned to ensure progression and continuity of knowledge and skills in seven interconnected areas of learning and development towards Early Learning Goals (ELG’s) which children are assessed against in their final term in Reception

We have built a curriculum in the Nursery and in the Reception unit which we believe gives our children broad and rich early years experiences which will develop the knowledge and skills essential for future learning. We reflect on our planning regularly and use our knowledge, observations and assessment of how well children are learning and developing and will adjust our practice appropriately.

We prioritise the development of children’s spoken language in the EYFS at Whitley Park and understand that it underpins all seven areas of learning and development. Children’s back-and-forth interactions from an early age in our nursery form the foundations for language and cognitive development. The number and quality of the conversations they have with adults and peers throughout the day in a language-rich environment is crucial.

Children develop language at different rates. However, understanding what is typical can help us identify speech and language problems early. You can find out more  by clicking on the link below

Typical stages of Speech and Language Development

Language development interconnected with developing the Characteristics of effective teaching and learning (below) will ensure we are giving our children the best chance of reaching their potential and preparing them well for their onward learning journey at Whitley Park

• Playing and exploring - children investigate and experience things, 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

 

Please see our Nursery and Reception Pages to find out more