EYFS Curriculum

The Early Years Foundation Stage covers the development of children from birth to 5 years of age. It has a separate and distinct curriculum which allows children to learn at their own pace, through exploring, discovering and playing. It is the basis upon which all future learning will be built upon.

At Grove Road we have a large Early Years provision with a Nursery and two Reception classes. All classes are led by qualified teachers and supported by qualified and experienced staff. The Early Years is housed in a separate building with its own enclosed and secure garden area, where the children can free flow and expand their learning. Most children who attend our Nursery transition to our Reception classes.

Aims

• To provide a safe and stimulating environment
• To ensure every child has the chance to join in with other children and adults to play and learn together
• For every child to progress their learning and development by building on what they already know and can do
• To work with parents as partners in their child’s learning and development

Intent Statement

Our curriculum is designed to recognise children’s prior learning, both from previous settings and their experiences at home. We work in partnership with parents, carers and other settings to provide the best possible start, ensuring each individual reaches their full potential from their various starting points.

Our curriculum has been designed to enable children to succeed through cooperative and collaborative learning principles. As such, there is a strong emphasis on the Prime Areas of learning; Personal, Social, and Emotional Development and Communication and Language, including Oracy.

At Grove Road we recognise that providing children with a language rich environment not only improves academic outcomes, but supports a life skill to ensure success beyond school, in life and future employment. Oracy develops children’s thinking and understanding, which in turn promotes self-confidence, resilience and empathy which support the child’s well-being. 

Our enabling environments and warm, skilful adult interactions support the children as they begin to link learning to their play and exploration right from the start. We believe that high levels of engagement ensures high level attainment. We therefore provide an engaging curriculum that maximises opportunities for meaningful cross-curricular links and learning experiences, as well as promoting the unique child by offering extended periods of play and sustained thinking. We follow children’s interests and ideas to foster a lifelong love of learning both in and outside of school.

By the end of the Reception year our intent is to ensure that all children make good progress from their individual starting points and are equipped with the skills and knowledge to ensure a smooth transition into Year 1.