Early Years Learning and Teaching

The Early Years Foundation Stage

The Kindergarten and Reception classes provide education for children from 2½ to 5 years, and the learning follows the EYFS requirements to develop skills in seven separate areas:

Prime Areas

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

Specific Areas

  • Literacy
  • Mathematics
  • Understanding the World
  • Expressive Arts and Design

The curriculum is structured to allow an excellent balance between teacher-initiated and pupil-initiated activities. We want our pupils to be enthused by their learning and become engaged with it; we recognise that children need to be able to shape their learning and share their ideas.

High staff to pupils ratios are maintained throughout the day with children always within sight or sound of qualified members of staff. The department adopts a topic-based approach to learning, with a range of activities in the afternoons that include art, music, cooking and physical education.

The Head of Early Years is responsible for the day-to-day development of all Kindergarten and Reception children and is able to advise parents on a wide range of issues.

Parents are welcome to look at their child’s learning portfolio at any time and these are readily available in the classrooms.