Early Years Foundation Stage

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) refers to children in Nursery and Reception at our academy.

Children within the Early Years Foundation Stage learn through a range of play-based opportunities as well as adult led and independent activities. At Harris Primary Academy Kenley, we plan a wide range of exciting activities that promote independence, communication, self-confidence, determination, the ability to think critically and opportunities to share their thoughts and ideas. The children have independent access to a stimulating curriculum both inside and out of the classroom on a daily basis.

The Foundation Stage Curriculum and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides a structure of learning opportunities through which we develop the different aspects of early education.

We believe our curriculum helps children meet learning opportunities within a happy, secure and interesting environment through practical activity, enquiry and purposeful play, with consolidation through practice, talk and reflection.

We plan activities and lessons carefully to inspire the children's curiosity, understanding and development. All seven main areas of learning are incorporated into the indoor and outdoor provision and planning is cross curricular across all areas. Throughout the EYFS curriculum, we are always incorporating children’s skills and development under the characteristics of effective learning.

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The Foundation Stage Curriculum is organised into “prime” and “specific” areas of learning:

Prime Areas

The three prime areas of learning form the foundations for all future learning and therefore place a lot of emphasis on ensuring that all children feel, happy, secure and settled into the school environment.

Personal and Social and Emotional Development

• Making relationships
• Self-confidence and self-awareness
• Managing feelings and behaviour

Communication and Language

• Listening and attention
• Understanding
• Speaking

Physical Development

• Moving and handling
• Health and self-care

Specific Areas

There are four specific areas of learning which supplement the prime areas and allow children to become confident active learners when the prime areas of learning have been supported and applied. Through these areas, we believe children can further develop their knowledge of the world around them and develop an understanding of all future learning that waits them. Here children will continue to become effective learners and develop the dispositions to learning through being curious, resourceful, persistent and courageous.

Literacy

• Reading
• Writing

Mathematics

• Numbers
• Shape, space and measure

Understanding the World

• The world
• Technology
• People and Communities

Expressive Arts and Design

• Exploring and using media and materials
• Being imaginative

 

EYFS Leads - Ms L Bairstow and Mrs T Jarrett