Our EYFS

“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. Good parenting and high quality early learning together provide the foundation children need to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow up. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets the standards that all early years providers must meet to ensure that children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. It promotes teaching and learning to ensure children’s ‘school readiness’ and gives children the broad range of knowledge and skills that provide the right foundation for good future progress through school and life.”

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) applies to children from birth to the end of their reception year. At Kirton Lindsey Primary School, all children begin attending school full time at the start of the school year in which they turn five.

Our EYFS Principles

Four guiding principles shape practice at Kirton Lindsey Early Years Foundation Stage which are inline with the school’s aspirational vision, aims and values. These are:

Every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.
Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships.
Children learn and develop well in enabling environments with teaching and support from adults, who respond to their individual interests and needs and help them to build their learning over time. Children benefit from a strong partnership between practitioners and parents / carers.
Children learn and develop in different ways and at different rates.

1. A Unique Child

At Kirton Lindsey Early Years Foundation Stage we recognise that every child is a competent learner who can be resilient, capable, confident and self assured. We recognise that children develop in individual ways and at varying rates. Children’s attitudes and dispositions to learning are influenced by feedback from others. We use praise and encouragement, as well as celebration/sharing assemblies and rewards, to encourage children to develop a positive attitude to learning.

2. Positive Relationships

At Kirton Lindsey Early Years Foundation Stage, we recognise that children learn to be independent by building secure relationships. We aim to develop caring, respectful, professional relationships with the children and their families. This theme is about children learning to manage their feelings and build relationships. We respect all kinds of families and aim to develop a positive two-way relationship with parents. We will support, listen and work with the children at Kirton Lindsey Primary School – Early Years Foundation Stage to help them learn.

3. Enabling Environments

At Kirton Lindsey Early Years Foundation Stage, we recognise that the environment plays a key role in supporting and extending the children’s development. This begins by observing the children and assessing their interests, development and learning, before planning challenging but achievable activities and experiences. We ensure that inside and outside spaces in the EYFS are safe, interesting and engaging. Our EYFS staff support children, working as a team to help children succeed.

4. Learning and Development

At Kirton Lindsey Early Years Foundation Stage we recognise that children learn and develop in different ways and at different rates. We value all areas of learning and development equally and understand that they are interconnected. We focus on ensuring young children learn through play and exploration, with support for each individual. We encourage children to develop imagination, to get actively involved in learning and to make decisions. We make every attempt to develop children’s creative and critical thinking, balancing the need for both the children and adults to lead the learning.

The Areas of Learning and Development

There are seven areas of learning and development in the EYFS curriculum that shape the educational programme at Kirton Lindsey Primary School. All areas of learning and development are important and inter-connected. These areas are particularly crucial for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive. We offer the children a wide range of activities and experiences through the prime and specific areas of the EYFS curriculum.
Prime Area – Communication and language
Prime Area – Physical development
Prime Area – Personal, social and emotional development
Specific Area – Literacy
Specific Area – Mathematics
Specific Area – Understanding the world
Specific Area – Expressive arts and design

None of these areas of learning and development can be delivered in isolation from the others. They are equally important and depend on each other. All areas are delivered through a balance of adult led and child initiated activities. In each area there are Early Learning Goals that define the expectations for most children to reach by the end of the EYFS.

To arrange a visit to our school, please contact us.

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