How we teach in EYFS
In EYFS, children learn by playing and exploring, being active and thinking critically through a balance of adult and child-led teaching to allow them to develop and achieve. Focused adult-led teaching is planned for and then continuous and enhanced provision allows for children to apply their own learning and develop their own ideas. Over the school day, children also have the opportunity to work with adults, both as planned teaching opportunities and responding to children’s own ideas for learning in a range of areas from the EYFS curriculum.
Through our book-themed approach to planning, children are exposed to a range of texts to explore in depth. We want children to develop a love and enjoyment for reading, and we feel this approach supports this. This allows children to develop and understand a range of appropriate and higher order vocabulary and knowledge that they can use and apply in other curriculum areas.
We follow a phonics scheme called Little Wandle and a maths scheme called White Rose Maths. This helps us to ensure that learning is carefully managed and that children are well-prepared for the next phase of their learning by the end of the Reception Year.
In EYFS, we also learn about different seasons and festivals celebrated during the year, allowing children to build up their knowledge further about the local area and further away from home.
We recognise that children will learn most effectively when they are healthy, safe and secure, when their individual needs are met and when they have positive relationships with the adults who care for them. We aim to provide an environment where children look forward to coming to school, enjoy learning and grow in confidence.
We pride ourselves on ensuring that every child, regardless of their starting point receive the best support possible to make progress through targeted support. Children in EYFS are encouraged to see themselves as capable, independent and valued for their effort.
Through careful monitoring during EYFS we can plan and provide appropriate support and intervention for children who need additional support in a key area/s to help them close gaps in learning. We work alongside parents and caregivers, speech therapists and SEND professionals to identify need and support for children with additional needs. We support gross and fine motor skills with Squiggle Whilst You Wiggle and also pencil grip and cutting skills. Phonics, number and early reading skills are part of our regular intervention support.
We work alongside professionals, such as the dental team to ensure that children’s health is promoted throughout their journey in EYFS.
Throughout our learning environment, both inside and outside, we want to create an environment that creates curiosity, awe and wonder. We use a variety of resources, including loose parts to promote critical thinking and to stimulate children’s imaginations.
