Early Years Foundation Stage

At Thurlbear Primary School, we believe that all children deserve the very best possible start in life and recognise the fundamental role a child’s early years has in shaping the person and learner they become.

We aim to inspire and engage children in learning from the very start and aspire for our children to become happy, confident and resilient learners, who approach challenges with positivity and determination. We want our children to be kind and caring, skilful communicators and aim to ignite their curiosity about the world around them.

We have high aspirations for all children and aim to provide the support that enables all children to reach to fulfil their potential.

Our progressive EYFS curriculum is designed to lay strong foundations, so that the children develop the characteristics of an effective learner, as well as equipping them with the knowledge and skills to be ready to progress seamlessly onto the Key stage 1 curriculum.

Our Foundation Stage children follow the curriculum as outlined in the 2021 statutory framework of the EYFS. The EYFS framework includes seven areas of learning and development that are equally important and inter-connected. The prime areas of learning 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

The prime areas are strengthened and applied through four specific areas:

  • Literacy

  • Mathematics

  • Understanding the world

  • Expressive arts and design

Our Early year’s team aim to nurture a positive, caring and welcoming environment, where the children feel secure, confident and are challenged to achieve their full potential. Staff take into account the individual needs, interests, and stage of development of each child, and use this information to plan a challenging and enjoyable experiences.

Our curriculum in the Early years is language rich and each of our topics follow the interests and needs of the children. Each area of learning and development is implemented through planned, purposeful play and through a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities.

Our curriculum is knowledge based, focusing on what we want our children to know and be able to achieve. Skilled practitioners support and develop the unique child and follow children’s individual skills and interests through high quality interactions and continuous provision.

How children learn

Playing and Exploring Creating and thinking critically

  • finding out and exploring having their own ideas

  • playing with what they know making links

  • being willing to have a go choosing ways to do things

Creating and thinking critically

  • having their own ideas

  • making links

  • choosing ways to do things

Active Learning

  • being involved and concentrating

  • enjoying achieving what they set out to do#

  • keeping trying

What children learn

Prime areas of learning and developing

  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development (Self Regulation, managing self, Building Relationships)

  • Communication and Language (Listening, Attention and Understanding; Speaking)

  • Physical Development (Gross motor skills, fine motor skills)

Specific areas of learning and development

  • Mathematics (Number, Numerical Patterns)

  • Literacy (Comprehension, Word Reading, Writing)

  • Understanding the World (Past and Present, People, Culture and Communities, The Natural World)

  • Expressive Arts and Design (Creating with Materials; Being Imaginative and Expressive)