Early Years

For the free man there should be no element of slavery in learning. Enforced exercise may benefit the body but enforced learning will not stay in the mind. Therefore avoid compulsion and let your children’s lessons take the form of play.

Plato - The Republic

2022_Information_for_parents_reception_baseline_assessment.pdf

Children's first year in school (Reception class) is the final year of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) which children will have begun in Nursery, pre-school or with their childminder.

Our EYFS classroom provides learning for forty five children. Staffed by two teachers and a teaching assistant, it provides a good adult/child ratio. Spacious and well resources indoor and outdoor spaces enable the seven areas of learning to be provided inside and outsider. This provides a favourable staffing ratio and environment for 45 children.

The EYFS curriculum is made up of 7 areas of learning:

  • 3 prime areas (split into 7 aspects)

  • 4 specific areas (split into 6 aspects)

All have equal value although the first twelve are used to define a 'good level of development' of GLD. This means if a child achieves within the age related standard at the end of the year in all 11 aspects, they have achieved the nationally expected standard.

Prime areas of learning

Communication and Language:

  1. speaking and listening

  2. attention and understanding

PSED (personal, social and emotional development):

  1. self regulation

  2. managing self

  3. building relationships

Physical Development

  1. fine motor skills

  2. gross motor skills

Specific areas

Literacy:

  1. comprehension

  2. word reading

  3. writing

Mathematics:

  1. number

  2. numerical patterns

Achievement of a good level of development is given when a child achieves ALL of the above Early Learning Goals [ELG].

The World:

  1. past and present

  2. people, culture and communities

  3. natural world

Expressive Arts and Design

  1. creating with materials

  2. being imaginative and expressive