Welcome to Our New Early Years Foundation Stage

Welcome to our Early Years area. We are a mixed Reception and Year 1 class of up to 30 children, where children learn and grow in a nurturing and stimulating environment. Our classroom, both indoors and outdoors, is designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning.

In this area, you can learn more about the staff working in our class, keep up to date with recent events and topics, and find useful resources to support your child’s learning. Our gallery displays the exciting activities and experiences that take place each day, giving you a glimpse into the rich and engaging environment we provide.

We hope you enjoy exploring our page and following our journey.

Meet the EYFS Team

Mrs Cotton - Nursery Nurse

Mrs Wood - TA

EYFS Curriculum

Prime Areas

Communication and Language

Language development is at the heart of everything we do in our EYFS class. The conversations children have with adults and peers play a crucial role in their learning and development. Through meaningful back-and-forth interactions, children build strong foundations for communication, thinking, and understanding the world around them.

In our classroom, we create a language-rich environment where children are encouraged to express their thoughts, share ideas, and develop their vocabulary. By commenting on what children are doing and introducing new words in a natural way, we help them expand their language skills. Reading stories, exploring non-fiction, and enjoying rhymes and poems together provide further opportunities for children to hear and use new words in different contexts.

These early experiences lay the foundation for strong communication skills, setting children up for success in all areas of learning.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Helping children develop socially and emotionally is just as important as supporting their academic learning. In our EYFS class, we focus on building strong, positive relationships that help children feel safe, valued, and confident in themselves. These early attachments shape their understanding of emotions, relationships, and the world around them.

We support children in managing their feelings, developing resilience, and gaining independence. Through gentle guidance and positive role modelling, they learn how to set goals, take turns, and develop confidence in their own abilities. They also begin to understand the importance of looking after their bodies, making healthy choices, and managing their personal needs.

Our approach is guided by our school promises of   Resilience, Respect, and Responsibility. By embedding these values in everything we do, we help children persevere through challenges, show kindness and consideration towards others, and take ownership of their actions.

Interacting with their peers in a supportive environment helps children build friendships, learn cooperation, and resolve conflicts in a positive way. These essential life skills create a strong foundation, enabling children to thrive both in school and beyond.

Physical Development



Physical activity is essential for children's overall growth and well-being, helping them to lead happy, healthy, and active lives. In our EYFS class, we provide plenty of opportunities for movement, both indoors and outdoors, to support the development of strength, coordination, and balance. Through active play, children refine their gross motor skills, building the core stability and agility needed for everyday tasks. We also have weekly PE sessions taught to children by our specialist PE teacher Mrs Sharp.

Fine motor skills are equally important, forming the foundation for early literacy and independence. Activities such as small world play, puzzles, arts and crafts, and using tools help develop hand-eye coordination, control, and precision. With encouragement and guidance, children gain confidence in using their bodies effectively, setting them up for success in all areas of learning.                         

Through active engagement, perseverance in physical challenges, and care for themselves and others, children develop the skills and attitudes needed for lifelong well-being.

Specific Areas

Literacy

We encourage children to talk about the world around them, exploring books together, and enjoying rhymes and poems to help to strengthen their understanding of language, setting the stage for both reading and writing.

Throughout the year, children will begin recognising familiar words and decoding new ones. In our EYFS class, we use the Read, Write, Inc. program to teach phonics, reading, and spelling in a structured and engaging way.

Writing is an important part of early literacy. To make writing meaningful and exciting, we link it to our class topics, encouraging children to express their thoughts and creativity in a way that engages their interests.

By fostering a love for books and storytelling, and supporting children in developing their reading and writing skills, we provide them with the tools they need to become confident, enthusiastic learners.

Mathematics

Building a solid understanding of number is essential for children to develop the necessary skills to excel in mathematics. In our EYFS class, we focus on helping children count confidently and develop a deep understanding of numbers up to 10, including their relationships and the patterns within them. Through hands-on activities such as using manipulatives like small pebbles and tens frames, children can organise their counting and begin to build a strong foundation of mathematical knowledge and vocabulary.

To support this learning, we use the White Rose Maths program, which provides a structured and engaging approach to developing number sense and mathematical understanding. White Rose Maths allows us to offer frequent, varied opportunities for children to explore mathematical concepts in a way that is both fun and meaningful.



Our approach encourages children to develop positive attitudes toward mathematics, helping them to look for patterns, explore relationships, and take risks in their learning. We promote a ‘can-do’ mindset, where children are not afraid to make mistakes but instead feel supported to ask questions, share ideas, and talk with peers and adults about what they notice. This approach fosters both their confidence and curiosity, laying the groundwork for a lifetime of mathematical learning. 

Understanding of the World

In our topics, we aim to help children make sense of their physical surroundings and their place within the community. By increasing the range and frequency of their personal experiences, we expand their knowledge and deepen their sense of the world around them. We make visits throughout the year to places such a farms, castles and walks around our local area, these experiences provide rich learning opportunities.

In addition, we expose children to a wide range of stories, non-fiction, rhymes, and poems that reflect our diverse world, both culturally and socially. This not only builds important knowledge but also enriches their language, supporting both their comprehension skills and their ability to connect ideas across different subjects.



Through this approach, we aim to give children a broad and balanced view of the world, helping them develop the language and understanding they need to navigate and contribute meaningfully to society in the future.

Expressive Arts & Design

Throughout our topics, children engage with a variety of artistic experiences, including music, drama, art, and design. These activities are an integral part of our curriculum and are linked to the themes we explore in class. By experimenting with different media and techniques, children have the opportunity to express their ideas and emotions in imaginative ways.

We provide regular opportunities for children to engage in creative activities that promote the development of fine motor skills, coordination, and problem-solving abilities. Whether through drawing, painting, singing, dancing, or role play, each activity encourages children to explore and experiment in ways that build both their artistic skills and self-expression.



A highlight of the year is our Christmas Nativity. This annual performance allows children to express themselves through drama and music, bringing the story of the birth of Jesus to life for both their peers and their families. It is a wonderful opportunity for the children to build confidence as they perform in front of an audience, and it is a cherished event that brings our school community together.

We also celebrate the children’s creative work through parent galleries and school assemblies, where their artwork is proudly displayed and their performances are shared with the wider community. These celebrations help children take pride in their accomplishments and strengthen the connection between home and school.