A Day In Early Years At Grange?

The Early Years curriculum is centred around children’s interests with a balance of child-initiated and adult-led learning.
Every day adults lead directed teaching across the curriculum; with a focus on phonics and reading, mathematics, writing and oracy. Children come together for whole class, group and individual teaching and are then given the widest range of opportunities to apply and develop their skills and knowledge.
 
Through planned, purposeful play, children are able to discover, practise and refine their skills in literacy and mathematics as well as find out about themselves and their environment. In a broad and balanced way, our provision ensures coverage of the seven areas of learning and responds to the needs and interests of all our children.

At all times, we consider characteristics of effective learning which promote positive attitudes to learning, and enthusiasm. Every day, we provide opportunities for children to come together to share their experiences, celebrate their achievements and enjoy being at school.

  • playing and exploring – children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’ (you can support your child by, for example, making sure they encouraging them to try out new experiences and asking open-ended questions that might stimulate their curiosity);
  • active learning – children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties, and enjoy achievements (allow your child to play independently – avoid leading your child’s play, and don’t let them engage for too long in passive activities like watching TV); and
  • creating and thinking critically – children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things (when your child is playing, provide some challenges and allow them to be inventive – try leaving fewer toys for them but add a few unknown objects for them to use… don’t forget how much fun a cardboard box can be!).

Children who demonstrate strong characteristics of effective learning are more likely to enjoy and achieve at a higher level as they get older. Support your child to develop these characteristics just as much as you support the academic side of things.

We follow the principles set out in:

Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage - setting the standards for learning, development and care for children from birth to five (Last updated by Department for Education, March 2017)

Early Years Foundation Stage Profile Handbook - Standards and Testing Agency, updated annually

Development Matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage - Early Education 2012

What to expect, when? - Guidance to your child's learning and development in the early years foundation stage

Bold Beginnings - A research and analysis document by Ofsted. The Reception curriculum in a sample of good and outstanding primary schools. This report looks at the Reception curriculum in successful schools and how well it prepared 4 and 5 year olds for the rest of their education and beyond.