Early Years Foundation Stage

"In the EYFS, children joining with a broad range of ability make rapid progress"
ISI 2022

Children in Nursery and Reception learn through the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. This is a statutory curriculum for all schools including independent settings. The EYFS curriculum is designed to meet children’s needs, interests and next steps and is based on observations of the children during adult directed or self-initiated activity. Topics and activities are based on observations of the children’s learning needs and interests to enable them to make individual progress in all seven learning areas of the EYFS curriculum.

Here is an outline of the topics we may cover across EYFS at Kingshott. Some topics may be adapted or extended to respond to children’s needs and interests.

The Early Years Foundation Stage consists of seven areas of learning:

Communication and Language

Your children will learn to listen attentively and respond appropriately in a range of situations. They will engage in activities which will broaden and enrich their language and vocabulary. They will develop confidence and skills in expressing themselves in a variety of different ways, as well as learning about the conventions of speech i.e. looking at the speaker. They will engage in activities that develop their ability to follow a set of instructions.

Physical Development

This develops children’s co-ordination, control and movement. This includes; fine and gross motor control skills, using equipment such as scissors, correct pencil grip and pencil control activities, use of knife and fork and changing clothing. It also involves learning about the importance of physical activity and the effects this has on the body, and guides children on making healthy choices in relation to food. Children are encouraged to eat a range of food. At Kingshott, children are taught PE by specialist staff.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

This involves children developing a positive sense of themselves and others; forming good relationships and respect for others; developing social skills and managing their feelings and behaviour; and developing confidence in their own abilities. Developing independence in selecting appropriate resources for activities. Learning to share and show respect for others. Work covered in this area includes our Golden Rules and the Kingshott 5R’s which are; responsibility, resilience, resourcefulness, readiness and reflectiveness.

Literacy

Children will learn to link sounds and letters. Nursery and Reception follow the Letters and Sounds and Jolly Phonics programmes for the teaching of phonics and early reading and writing skills. They will begin to read simple sentences. They are encouraged to develop a love of books, to be able to discuss the stories and when reading aloud use expression to engage the listener. The children learn how to form letters correctly and are encouraged to apply their phonic knowledge to their independent writing.

Mathematics

Children will develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers. They use practical activities, number rhymes and interactive resources to develop mathematical understanding. They will begin to solve simple problems involving addition and subtraction. They will also learn to describe shapes, spaces and measures. Money, length, weight, time, pattern, positional language, 2D and 3D shapes are covered.

Understanding the World

This involves children making sense of their physical world and their community. They will have opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, and the environment. Festivals/times of the year are covered – i.e. Harvest, Diwali, Remembrance, Christmas, Holi, Easter. Children are encouraged to talk about their experiences and knowledge to show their understanding of the world. Nursery and Reception have a weekly session with the school’s French teacher.

Expressive Arts and design

Children will explore and experiment with a wide range of materials and media. They will also be encouraged to share their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a range of activities in music, movement, dance, role-play, art, and design and technology. Reception and Nursery have weekly sessions with specialist drama and music teachers.