Early Years Foundation Stage

There are 7 areas of learning and development that comprise the curriculum’s framework; however every aspect of the curriculum is interrelated.  Children should mostly develop the 3 prime areas first.

These are: Communication and Language, Physical Development and Personal, Social and Emotional Development. These prime areas are those most essential for your child’s healthy development and future learning. 

As children grow, the prime areas will help them to develop skills in 4 specific areas. These are: Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World and Expressive Arts and Design.

All 7 areas are used to plan your child’s learning and activities and are designed to be really flexible so that staff can follow each child’s unique needs and interests.  Although young children do not separate learning into curriculum areas, and every aspect of the curriculum is interrelated and interdependent, the 7 areas form the framework on which the Early Years Foundation Stage is built.

The principles which guide the work of all early years’ practitioners are grouped into four themes:

·         A Unique Child – every child is a unique child who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable,    confident and self-assured.

·         Positive Relationships – children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships.

·         Enabling Environments – 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, parents and carers.

·         Learning and Development – children develop and learn in different ways.  The framework covers the education and care of all the children in early years provision, including children with special educational needs and disabilities.  Practitioners teach children by ensuring challenging, playful opportunities across the prime and specific areas of learning and development.

Phonics Teaching  and Early Reading in Reception at St Cross 

Phonics lessons are taught on a daily basis in Reception and last for approximately 20 minutes using Little Wandle 

Topics 

Each half term has two topics for children to explore. The topics will be determined by the interest of the children. If you know your child is very keen on something for example, under the sea, let Miss Panter or the Early Years staff know.