Early Years

Children in the EYFS are taught in school buildings separated from the rest of the school by a fence to ensure the safety of the children. The area pleasantly encompasses a children’s garden including a swing, slide, roundabout, sand pit as well as our resident rabbit and tortoise! Children play freely here under the clear supervision of class teachers and assistants. Lunch and snack time is also taken in this garden where the children develop social meal time skills.

The classrooms are cozy with plenty of toys for the children to play with as well as a discovery play area where the children develop their creative skills. The EYFS curriculum is based on the “Early Learning Goals” which develop the following aspects of the individual:-

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
• Communication and Language Development
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Expressive Arts and Design
• Understanding the World
• Physical Development

At the start of every term parents are given a Skills Web detailing the theme for the term or half term so that families can help support classroom based activities and enhance their child’s enjoyment of the theme. Additionally all children visit the library once a week to choose a book to take home. You will often find that your child brings the same book home repeatedly – but that’s okay – it means they love the book which is always to be encouraged! They’ll become more adventurous in their choices as they develop.

Curriculum

The Early Years Foundation Stage Framework from the UK is closely followed. The Letters and Sounds program takes children through Phase 1 to 5 in Foundation Stage 1 (Ages 3-4) and Foundation Stage 2 (Ages 4 -5). There are timetabled sessions for Physical Education, Swimming and Music which are taught by specialist teachers. In Foundation Stage 2, children begin to take reading books home twice a week; the reading scheme followed is Oxford Reading Tree. All children have a library session once a week, where they can choose a book to borrow.