Curriculum Intent
At Frosterley Primary School, we aim to develop a love of learning through our EYFS provision. We aim to ensure all children build on prior learning in a caring, nurturing environment which allows them to reach their full potential. Children at Frosterley learn by exploring, experiencing and working together to develop their skills and knowledge preparing them for their next steps in their learning. We want our children to be independent, creative, resilient, and confident learners who are tolerant and treat others with respect and kindness.
Our school is set in a rural community, and this is reflected within our curriculum. We take advantage of the opportunities our outside areas offer. We want our children to be fully involved in school, family and community life. We encourage our children to see themselves as a valued part of these and encourage them to begin contributing.
Implementation
At Frosterley Primary School, we have a mixed EYFS and Key Stage 1 class. We help our children learn by provide stimulating activities in a caring and nurturing environment. Our curriculum provides opportunities to develop skills and knowledge from all areas of the Early Years Framework. Children have access to the nursery classroom, with an engaging indoor/outdoor environment which provides opportunity for child-initiated learning alongside focused adult-led learning opportunities. This flexible provision enables our children to learn through play, led by their own interests.
The EYFS Curriculum consists of the seven areas of Learning and Development. There are three prime and four specific areas. The three prime areas of learning are:
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
• Communication and Language
• Physical Development
The four specific areas of learning are:
• Mathematics
• Literacy
• Understanding of the World
• Expressive Arts and Design
We understand that every child is unique and consider the different interests of pupils and the varying rates at which children develop. We incorporate the three characteristics of effective teaching and learning:
• playing and exploring, where children investigate are encouraged to ‘have a go.’
• active learning, where children concentrate and keep trying if they encounter problems.
• creating and thinking critically where children develop their own ideas, making links and developing their own strategies for doing things.
Our children learn through a mixture of child-initiated play and adult-led activities.
Impact
With a thorough knowledge of our curriculum, the Early Learning goals and the children in our EYFS setting, our staff assess the children through discussion and questioning, observation, and direct teaching sessions. A record of their learning is made, noting their progress and planning for the next steps in their learning. Each child has a learning journal which records their achievements and areas for development. This is regularly shared with home and parental contributions are welcomed. Our provision and delivery of our curriculum is regularly monitored, reviewed and revisited to ensure our aims are met and the children’s knowledge and learning is secure.
The impact of the Early years Curriculum is reflected in our happy, confident and resilient children.
