Early Years Foundation Stage 

At Crane Park Primary School our Nursery and Reception classes follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum. It is based upon four fundamental principles.  

· A Unique Child: Every child is a competent learner who can be resilient, capable confident and self-assured.

· Positive Relationships: Children learn to be strong and independent from a base of secure relationships with parents, other children and ‘Key People’ in the nursery.

· Enabling Environments: A well planned environment plays a key role in supporting and extending children’s development and learning.

· Learning and Development: Children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates and all areas of learning and development are equally important and are interconnected.

 

The EYFS curriculum is centred on children learning through play and their first hand experiences. It is delivered across seven distinct areas of learning which are subdivided into the Prime and the Specific. These areas develop the children’s key skills, knowledge and understanding which are built upon as they progress to more formal education in Key Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2) and beyond.

 

Prime Areas of Learning

· Personal, Social and Emotional Development

We support children in developing a positive sense of themselves and others, to form positive relationships and develop respect for others, to develop social skills and learn how to manage their feelings, to understand and to demonstrate appropriate behaviour and to have confidence in their own abilities.

· Communication and Language

Children are given opportunities to experience a rich language environment, to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves and to listen, understand and speak in a range of situations.

· Physical Development

Children are provided with a wealth of opportunities to be active and interactive and to develop their co-ordination, control, and movement. Children begin to understand the importance of physical activity, and in making healthy choices in relation to food.

 

Specific Areas of Learning

· Literacy

Children are taught to link sounds and letters and begin to develop their reading and writing skills through a variety of activities. They are introduced to a wide range of books, labels and captions designed to capture their interest and so fire their enthusiasm for reading and writing,

· Mathematics

Children are engaged in activities which develop their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple practical problems involving addition and subtraction and using and describing shapes, spaces, and measures.

· Understanding the World

We support and guide children to make sense of their natural world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment.

· Expressive Arts and Design

Children are encouraged to experiment and play with a wide range of media and materials as well as having opportunities for sharing their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role-play, and design and technology.