Early Years

Early Years Leaders - Mrs Wilby and Mrs Wildey

Intent

At Langwathby C of E School our aim is to create a learning environment and to build relationships which supoort and enhance a child's curiosity and confidence and to flourish regardless of background, circumstances or needs. We aim to work collaboratively with parents and carers to encourage independent, enthusiastic learners who thrive and reach their full potential. It is our intent that children who enter our EYFS begin their lifelong learning journey by developing physically, verbally, cognitively and emotionally whilst also embedding a positive attitude and a love of learning.

Implementation

Our curriculum provides a play-based and experimental learning environment, combined with focused teaching and basic skills, to ensure child make progress before moving onto Year 1. The children in both Nursery and Reception are provided with opportunities accessible in our indoor and outdoor provision. They engage in planned, focused activities as well as self-initiated and free flow activities. The learning experiences within our Early Years are linked to the seven areas of learning and development within the EYFS. These areas are split into three prime areas and four specific areas. The three prime areas are those which the children should develop first and are considered most essential for the healthy development and future learning of our children. These include Personal, Social and Emotional Development,

Communication and Language and Physical Development.

As children grow and progress in the prime areas, this will help them to naturally develop skills within the four specific areas of Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding of the World and Expressive Arts and Design.

Please see the bottom of the page for further links to the EYFS curriculum.

Daily observations of the children both in independent learning as well as direct teaching activities form part of our assessment and are used to inform planning and teaching throughout the year. Our EY team meet regularly to discuss the observations we have made and to implement further support if needed. We are very aware of the child and their own personal learning journey taking into account their starting point when they join our setting. This ensures that we value the child as a unique learner and can celebrate their own personal achievements along the way.

Impact

The impact of our Early Years Curriculum is that our children develop a love of learning from a young age. They view our school as a safe environment in which they feel confident to explore, ask questions and face challenges. We provide a secure starting point upon which all other concepts and knowledge are built upon and in promoting independence and resilient learners we equip them with the tools to take the next step in their learning.

Please see below for further information.

Our Early Years Unit

At Langwathby School we understand that our Early Years Curriculum provides the foundations on which our young learners will grow and develop.

We place huge value in ensuring that we provide a Curriculum that is broad and enriching allowing children to explore and investigate in a stimulating environment.

Learners are encouraged to make decisions, solve problems and to develop a sense of belonging and identity within our unit.

Our Early Years curriculum has been carefully designed to ensure that pupils have a secure grasp of key concepts that will support their knowledge and development. Well planned continuous provision allows children to develop independence and to make choices whilst practising and consolidating new learning. Children have the opportunity to access this daily whilst staff work with children in small groups using direct teaching of knowledge and skills. Seasonal topics and festivals to celebrate are highlighted in our long term map whilst also allowing us flexibility to build some learning around the children's own likes and interests.

Our outdoor provision is central to our teaching and learning and allows children to develop resilience and confidence as they try new challenges and become engaged in different experiences. Our outdoor area has a large sand pit, reading den, writing area, music area with resources, climbing frame with slide and mud kitchen. These areas are available for the children to use on a daily basis alongside the enhanced provision and resources that we provide.

We also have a weekly Forest School session every Tuesday morning led by Holly Brown a fully qualified Forest School leader. The skills children learn here become life long skills as they use new tools and equipment whilst learning about nature and our natural surroundings. We place high value on learning outside of the classroom and understand the importance of allowing the children to take part in age appropriate challenges. The children enjoy structured teaching activities alongside time to explore their surroundings led by their own personal interests.

Our Classroom routine.

Our doors open at 8.50 a.m allowing children time to place their coats and bags on their pegs before finding their photograph in the classroom. A member of staff is always on the door to welcome your child into the unit and to support with settling in for the day.

Below is an example of our classroom timetable to show how our curriculum time is used however some flexibility will be used for example when celebrating whole school events.