Early Years
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) focuses on the distinct needs of children from birth until five years old. At Yew Tree Primary we have Nursery and Reception classes that deliver the EYFS. The EYFS sets all standards that Early Years’ providers must meet to ensure that children learn and develop well and are kept safe. It promotes teaching and learning to ensure children’s school readiness and gives the children the broad range of knowledge and skills that provide the right foundation for future good progress. There are four guiding principles that shape the EYFS.
Every child is a unique child.
Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships.
Children learn and develop well in enabling environments.
Children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates.
There are seven areas of learning and development in the EYFS, three prime areas and four specific areas. All of the areas of learning are important and interconnected.
The three prime areas:
Communication and language. Children develop their skills and confidence in expressing themselves and their ability to speak and listen in a range of situations.
Physical development. Children learn to develop control, co-ordination and movement. We help children to make healthy choices.
Personal, social and emotional development. Children develop a positive sense of themselves and others and form positive relationships with each other. They learn how to manage their feelings and understand appropriate behavior. Children have confidence in their own abilities.
The four specific areas:
Literacy. Children learn to link letters and sounds and to begin to read and write.
Mathematical development. Children learn to count, understand and use numbers to calculate simple addition and subtraction problems and to describe shape, space and measures.
Understanding the world. Children learn to make sense of their world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places and technology and the environment.
Expressive arts and design. Children explore a wide range of materials and media. They are encouraged to share their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance and role-play.
At Yew Tree we deliver our Early Years curriculum through projects. You can find more information about the projects we cover by clicking on the 'classes' tab at the top of the page and follow the links for Reception and Nursery. You will find our Knowledge Organisers for each project. We use the statements from "Development Matters" to guide us in our teaching and assessment. In Reception we use Read Writ Inc. for phonics and guided reading, Talk Through Stories for vocabulary and literacy development and NCETM Mastering Number for mathematics. At the start of the Reception year, children are assessed on the Reception Baseline Assessment. At the end of the Reception year, children are assessed against the Early Learning Goals for the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile.
Nutritional guidance for the EYFS
Children in Nursery and Reception receive a piece of fruit and bagel for their daily snack. Nursery children are entitled to free milk everyday and Reception children are eligible for free milk until the term they turn 5. Children have access to drinking water. Nursery children who stay for the 30 hour entitlement need to bring a packed lunch. Children in Reception are eligible for a free school meal.
Learning Together Series
Below are links to useful documents to support parents and carers.
Maths is everywhere
The road to reading
Making their mark - children's early writing
Helping children with their behaviour
Science all around
Making a noise for music
Children as artists
