Early Years

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• We have developed a text-based curriculum where we link learning to high-quality texts at all possible opportunities. The texts that we select offer our children a rich vocabulary and exposure to experiences beyond their own. We aim for all children to be able to see themselves in some of the texts that we read. This ensures that everyone feels valued and creates an environment where everyone has the confidence to aim high and flourish.
• We ensure that our curriculum lays the foundations for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 by exposing children to language, concepts and significant figures that they will later explore in more detail as they progress through the school.
• Our curriculum has a strong focus on communication as we believe being good communicators is the gateway to all learning.
• We believe in teaching vocabulary and giving the children opportunities to practise using these new words. Every week we focus on a number of Wonder Words, as well as having regular discussions about words that appear in texts. We encourage children to talk in full sentences, to ask questions and to be inquisitive.
• Our pupils take part in lots of rich experiences (such as visits, visitors and immersive opportunities) as we believe children learn best when they are actively involved in their learning.
• We provide high-quality continuous provision and enhanced provision, which allows children to practise and develop skills in all areas of learning both inside and outside. Children also take part in weekly Welly Walks.
• We believe that play-to-learn time provides children with the opportunity to practise/consolidate new vocabulary, skills and knowledge and to explore concepts not yet taught.
• Learning is progressive and, in our EYFS, children’s prior learning is consolidated and built-upon. E.g. favourite texts and songs from pre-school are read/sung in Reception with new texts/songs being introduced.

Educational Programmes

Across EYFS, we use Floppy’s Phonics systemic, systematic phonics teaching programme to teach early Reading and Writing skills. Please see our Phonics page for more information on this.

• We have developed a Maths scheme using a combination of the White Rose educational programme and the NCETM Numberblocks to provide children with a depth of mathematical understanding. This will change depending on what you decide to do with Maths.
• Jigsaw educational programme is used alongside our own carefully planned curriculum to teach Personal, Social and Emotional development. This ensures that we follow a whole-school approach.
• We follow the schools P.E. scheme ‘Get set for P.E. to teach focused P.E. sessions to ensure that skills are built upon as our pupils progress into Key Stage 1. These discrete P.E. sessions are in addition to the daily opportunities offered in our setting.

In Pre-school, we have developed a progression of skills overview and a curriculum that prepares our pupils well for Reception in all areas of learning.

• Through our teaching and provision, we endeavour to ensure that all children are able to access our curriculum, regardless of their preferred learning styles. Teaching and learning opportunities are delivered in a number of different ways such as whole-class sessions, small, guided groups, 1-1 skills-led play and lots and lots of child-initiated play.
• We only ‘remark on the remarkable’. We send ‘wow’ moments to parents using the Dojo app and parents send wow moments back to us from home. Practitioners spend time interacting and communicating with the children and do not spend lots of time writing observations. Instead, they have regular (often daily) conversations to discuss each child’s learning and next steps.
• Every week we write a blog to communicate to parents about what we have been learning during the week. In Reception, the children help to articulate what will be written in the blog.
• Our children are engaged in their learning and show a real love for developing their knowledge and skills.
• Children progress well within each of the 7 areas of learning and the 3 characteristics of effective learning are evident in the children’s play.
• Each child has an individual display, a 'proud place' where their proudest achievements are shown.

• There is a real buzz about Reading in our classes and children build up an impressive vocabulary which we praise and celebrate.
• Children display a deep understanding of number through understanding sequences, quantities, properties and relationships between numbers.
• Pupils recognise their full potential and understand the impact they can make to the wider community.
• Children know that they are valued and feel safe at in their EYFS setting environment.

Our pupils:

• Are confident communicators, expressing themselves well in play, group and 1-1 interactions.

• Are kind to each other.
• Understand about choices and consequences.
• Become increasingly independent throughout their time in EYFS.
• Respect each other and value what makes them different.
• Take risks and celebrate mistakes as something they can all learn from.
• Lead their own enquiries and take responsibility for their own learning.
• Are engaged in their learning and foster a love of learning that they take with them through the school.
• Use both the indoor and outdoor environment as a resource for learning and enjoy exploring in their natural environment.