EYFS

Welcome to Year R
In Year R we work hard to make sure the transition into school is as seamless as possible for both children and parents. This success is based on developing a close partnership with parents and Pre- schools, understanding children’s interests and needs, both before, during and moving into Year 1.

We provide opportunities for learning in a happy, safe and caring environment. The children are given a wide variety of experiences enabling them to build their self-esteem and independence. They learn through play in an interactive and exciting setting that encourages them to explore and make sense of their own surroundings. They have access to both the indoor and outdoor areas whatever the weather to support their learning. Every child is valued as an individual and challenged appropriately throughout the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum.

Early Years Aspirations
In Early years we work toward 3 different aspiratons throughout the school year, dipping into different parts of each aspiration each term, please find the aspirations below:

EYFS Aspiration 1

EYFS Aspiration 2

EYFS Aspiration 3

 

Our Curriculum

The year your child spends in the Foundation Stage plays a major part in helping them make the transition between home and school. At Bramley Church of England Primary School our Foundation Stage classes work together as an Early Years Unit, mixing across the rooms and our extensive outside area.  

 

During this year, the adults carefully plan activities to ensure all children encounter new experiences and extend their skills, develop their confidence and build on what they already know. Children deepen their understanding by actively investigating, initiating play and learning from their surroundings. These experiences will provide opportunities for your children to work towards their Early Learning Goals. 

 

Children in reception have their own statutory curriculum called “The Early Years Foundation Stage”. There are seven areas of learning and development, all are important and inter- connected. There are three prime areas that are particularly crucial for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive. These are:  

 

Communication and language  

The statutory framework for the early years foundation stage is clear when stating just how crucial it is for early years children to develop effective communication and language skills - ‘The development of children’s spoken language underpins all seven areas of learning and development.’ Children need opportunities to experience a rich language environment both inside and outside the classroom; they need to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves and to speak and list in a range of situations in their everyday life. We support children’s language development with activities, such as role play, allowing children to share their own ideas and again allowing us to support those ideas whilst modelling appropriate vocabulary.

 

Personal, social and emotional development  

This very important area covers helping children to develop a positive sense of themselves, and others, to form positive relationships and develop respect for other alongside resolving conflicts effectively, to develop social skills and learn how to manage their feelings; to understand appropriate behaviour in groups, to have confidence in their own abilities and persist when challenge occurs. This area also includes helping children to gain an understanding of how to keep their bodies healthy, including healthy eating and managing their personal needs. 

 

At Bramley Church of England Primary School, we will also support children in four specific areas, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied. These specific areas are: 

 

Literacy  

Encouraging children to link sounds and letters and begin to read and write, whilst also supporting the physical skills to write recognisable letters. Children are given access to a wide range of reading materials to ignite their interest and develop a love of literature. 

We use the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds programme to enable children to acquire the phonic knowledge and strategies they need for reading and writing.

 

Mathematics  

Children are provided with opportunities to develop a strong grounding in number in order to develop the building blocks needed for them to excel mathematically. They are taught skills in counting with the support of practical materials and to develop their ability to subitise.  Children are supported to look for patterns and spot connections, being encouraged to 'have a go' about the things they notice.


Understanding the world 

Guiding children to explore the natural world around them, how it has changed and how they can make a positive impact towards it. They are also encouraged to understand that different people have different beliefs and celebrate special times in different ways, alongside giving children the opportunity to notice differences between life in this country and life in other countries. 

 

Expressive arts and design 

Encompasses a wide breadth of creative areas, such as listening and responding to music, singing, dancing and performing, experimenting with colour mixing and different textures, creating models, small world play, building and construction and role-play activities. Taking part in these activities allows children to gain many valuable skills as these types of activities help to support children's creativity and imagination, allows children to explore different materials, media and sounds, as well as helping to build children's confidence in their own ideas and opinions.

 

Each area of learning and development is implemented through planned, purposeful play and a mixture of adult-led and child-initiated activities. Play is essential for children’s development, building their confidence as they learn to explore, to think about problems, and relate to others. Children learn by leading their own play, and by taking part in play, which is guided by adults. As children grow older, and as their development allows, the balance will gradually shift towards more activities led by adults, to help children prepare for Year One.

The Foundation Stage Team recognise the importance of parental partnership and are always happy to talk to parents and carers about their child.