Early Years Foundation Stage     

Intent

At The Highway, we believe that the Early Years are some of the most important years in a child’s development. This is why we ensure we create a rich learning environment in which children are supported to build relationships, develop their curiosity, increase their confidence and flourish in all areas of development regardless of their background, circumstances or needs. As said in the EYFS framework, “Every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to fulfil their potential. Children develop quickly in the early years and a child’s experiences between birth and age five have a major impact on their future life chances. A secure, safe and happy childhood is important in its own right.”  It is our responsibility then, to work with parents to provide the starting point that children need. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) promotes teaching and learning to ensure children are given the broad range of knowledge and skills that provide the right foundation for good future progress through school and life and at The Highway we ensure we use this framework to provide for our Reception children.  We help children build a secure foundation by ensuring that we really get to know our children so that we are able to plan for the learning and development of everyone. We play and work with the children in small groups which allows us to continually assess and review what they have learned and what their next steps need to be. We realise how important a positive relationship with parents can ensure all children feel safe, happy and ready to learn in school.

Play is hugely important in our Reception class. Through independent and supported play, children are able to learn, develop and explore in a way that is suited to them. We ensure that we give children opportunities to develop their characteristic of effective learning which include:

• playing and exploring - children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’
• active learning - children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties, and enjoy achievements
• creating and thinking critically - children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things

Curriculum Statement for Early Years Foundation Stage 2020/2021