Early Years Foundation Stage

In Nursery and Reception we follow the Statutory Framework (EYFS), EYFS Early Adopter Framework (publishing.service.gov.uk).  This sets out all the standards an Early Years Provider must follow. 

The EYFS, is split into three Prime areas -

• Communication and Language
• Physical Development
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development

The Prime areas are the fundamentals of a child’s early education, they are particularly important for building a foundation for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, forming relationships and thriving.  

We also support and teach children the specific areas of the EYFS, these are –

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding of the World
• Expressive arts and design.

Nursery Assessment

We work alongside the LA and complete a termly assessment for all children based on School Readiness document the LA have compiled.  This is then passed onto the child’s school when they start in Reception.  Staff in Nursery are currently completing Hanen Training, this is to raise levels of spoken communication across the setting.  Staff are trained to model and comment whilst playing alongside children rather than direct questioning. 

Baseline Assessment

Children complete a short Baseline Assessment within the first six weeks of starting Reception.  This consists of short practical activities based on Literacy and Maths activities.  We follow the Government Baseline assessment for this.  We also do our own baseline assessment based on teacher assessment using information provided from parents, observations, pre-school settings, childminders, private nurseries and other professionals such as speech and language therapists, paediatricians. 

Delivery of Phonics

We teach daily phonics as a discrete lesson to all children in Reception.  We follow Little Wandle Letters and Sounds revised and teach phonics and early reading with fidelity to the scheme.  Children take part in daily discrete reading practice sessions where the reading book is matched to the phonic phase they are on.