Welcome to EYFS from our EYFS Lead - Mrs Stuart

"Children have a right to play. Children’s right to play is recognised as so vital to their wellbeing and development that it is included in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child (1989)." Birth to 5 Matters 2021

At Brightwalton Primary School we believe that play and exploration supported by meaningful relationships with adults provides a firm foundation for developing the skills required to be learners for life.  By working together with parents and carers we will build on every child’s previous experiences and challenge them to do more and learn more in order to make the most of this short but crucial stage of development.

Our curriculum is based on the Statutory Framework for the EYFS 2021 and Development Matters 2021 but also aims to bring to life the beautiful setting where we are located, share the rich experiences of every member of our community and open up the world beyond Brightwalton.

Overarching principles

Areas of Learning

Three areas are particularly important for building a foundation for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, forming relationships and thriving.  These are the prime areas:

• communication and language

• physical development

• personal, social and emotional development

Children are also supported in four specific areas, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied. The specific areas are:

• literacy

• mathematics

• understanding the world

• expressive arts and design

To develop these areas the children work and learn in a number of different ways.  Independent child led play sessions (Freeflow) give the children the autonomy to select activities and move fluidly between our indoor and outside environments.  During Freeflow adults will observe what the children are doing in order to gain a good understanding of where each child is at, engage with the children to develop their communication and thinking skills as well as providing resources and additional activities to build on and extend the learning started by the children themselves.

Adult led sessions introduce the children to specific activities, knowledge and skills that they would not necessarily choose or be able to access by themselves e.g. Phonics, PE, Maths or Story time.  These sessions are largely carpet based and can take place in small groups or as a class group but they aim to be as active, practical and enjoyable as possible in order to keep the children motivated and focused.

We are also very fortunate to have access to All Saints Church and its grounds as well as the village field and Dunmore Pond area.

Early Learning Goals (ELGs)

The level of development children should be expected to have attained by the end of the EYFS is defined by 17 ELGs (see Progression of Skills in EYFS document attached below for more detail about what these include).  In the final term of the Reception year, the ELGs support teachers to make a holistic, best-fit judgement about a child’s development based on their knowledge of each individual child as well as their own expert professional judgement.  It is also supported by other members of staff as well as parents or carers.  This Foundation Stage Profile is then shared with parents, carers and Year 1 teachers to give a well-rounded picture of a child’s knowledge, understanding and abilities, their attainment against expected levels, and their readiness for year 1.

If you have any further questions or are interested in joining our school, please contact the school office using the contact details under the Information for Parents tab.