Welcome to our wonderful Reception class! 

Lambs may be the first school experience your child has.  In Reception year, we strive to ensure all our children are happy, secure and set up for success as they move through the school. We see each child as an individual and teach them using a range of learning styles to ensure the learning objective is understood and achieved successfully.  

The teaching team comprises Miss Southwell (Classroom Teacher), Mrs Howell (Teaching Assistant) and Mrs Morris (Teacher Assistant).

Reading Books: Children have two reading books. Firstly, a book which they have selected themselves for parents and carers to read with them. Secondly, a book which is matched to their phonics stage and have been reading in class over the week.  

Our EYFS Intent  

We want our children to develop a sense of pride in themselves and respect for others in their immediate, school and Woodlea community.  We want to foster partnerships with families and engagement in their child’s learning journey.  We will work in partnership with parents and carers to encourage independent, happy learners who thrive in school and reach their full potential from their various starting points. We will support our children to develop a sense of citizenship in line with British Values.

We will provide an ambitious curriculum which enables children to develop their curiosity and problem solving. This will sow the seeds for a love of lifelong learning. We want them to develop an enriched vocabulary and a love for reading.

We understand and follow children’s interests and for these to be nurtured to ignite their enthusiasm for learning.  Through developing learning behaviours such as playing and exploring, active learning and creating and thinking critically, we want children to be autonomous with their own learning.  We want them to plan, implement, consolidate and deepen knowledge and ensure children meet their next steps.

We will create an engaging and stimulating environment, both inside and outdoors, which supports and challenges learning. It will stimulate the children physically and mentally, developing the health and wellbeing of our children. Giving the encouragement to manage risk and develop resilience.

Implementation

The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum 2020 includes the statutory areas of learning as well as the educational programmes. We also plan for other experiences and opportunities which best meet the developmental needs of the children in our school with value added to their culture capital and the development of a range of transferable skills.

The curriculum and early years practice have been shaped with respect to the four overarching principles:

• every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured
• children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships
• children learn and develop well in enabling environments, in which their experiences respond to their individual needs and there is a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and/or carers

Children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates.

We have a curriculum based upon ‘Wow!’ experiences and topics, which engage the children. We encourage active learning to ensure the children are motivated and interested. We take time to get to know children’s interests and their ‘likes’ to support learning.

All areas of the EYFS curriculum are followed and planned for; ensuring there is a broad, balanced and progressive learning environment and curriculum. The children will learn new skills, acquire new knowledge and demonstrate understanding through the seven areas in the EYFS curriculum:

• Communication and language: Helps children express themselves and understand others
• Physical development: Helps children develop physical health, coordination, and self-care skills
• Personal, social, and emotional development: Helps children develop self-awareness, relationships, and emotional well-being
• Literacy: Helps children develop early reading and writing skills
• Mathematics: Helps children understand numbers, shapes, and measures
• Understanding the world: Helps children make sense of their physical world and community
• Expressive arts and design: Helps children develop creativity and self-expression through various mediums

The teaching of these areas of learning is practical and playful with support and challenge from adults in class sessions, small group sessions and when working with individuals. There is a combination of adult-led, teacher taught sessions as well as a wealth of stimulating continuous provision opportunities. Daily guided activities are set up and planned that cover different areas of the EYFS curriculum and allow children to develop their next steps in learning. Areas of need and next steps are identified for all children to ensure good progress is made. In planning and guiding children’s activities we acknowledge the different ways that children learn and reflect these in our practice.

We ensure activities support the Characteristics of Effective Learning to ensure learning takes place. These are:-

• Playing and exploring - children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’;
• Active learning - children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties, and enjoy achievements;
• Creating and thinking critically - children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things.

Impact

We anticipate that our curriculum will ensure that children are equipped with skill sets and prepared for the future.  During their time in EYFS they become fantastic role models and the very best of themselves.  Their individuality is valued and the unique child has every opportunity to achieve and excel, based upon their own personal strengths, interest and core values whilst learning in EYFS, and in the future.

Our Children will;

• Take pride in all that they do themselves, others and their community.  They will always strive for the very best.
• Demonstrate self-regulation, emotional resilience and the ability to persevere when they encounter challenge whilst managing risks.
• Develop a sense of self-awareness and become confident in their own abilities.
• Be kind, respectful and honest, demonstrating inclusive attitudes and have a sense of their role in wider society.

Please see some links below:

Seven Features of Effective Practice

Development Matters - Non-statutory curriculum guidance for the early years foundation stage

Early years Foundation Stage statutory framework