Welcome to Early Years Foundation Stage

Our curriculum at Mount Pleasant Primary School provides children with exciting learning opportunities and goes beyond statutory requirements. We use a topic based approach which is creative, inspiring and memorable. Our curriculum also has a positive impact on children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

We recognise that children come into our setting with different experiences from others in their learning and play.  It is the role of our setting to help children experience the awe and wonder of the world in which they live. All staff work hard to ensure that the learning opportunities provided widen children’s knowledge and understanding of the world, setting ambitious expectations for all children.

We believe that children learn best in early years through play and exploration. Children are encouraged to join in activities, to be independent and to make choices. We provide stimulating and well-resourced learning spaces, where provision is carefully planned to challenge, motivate and develop children’s skills within the 7 areas of learning.

We know children who feel positive, engaged and involved will learn better.  Staff at Mount Pleasant Primary School and Nursery build positive relationships with all children, parents and carers.  With the support of parents, we provide a strong base for helping children develop in confidence and independence.

In Nursery and Reception our curriculum follows guidance from the Development Matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. It underpins learning by supporting and promoting each child’s development both prime and specific areas.

Prime Areas of Learning
The prime areas begin to develop quickly in response to relationships and experiences, and run through and support learning in all other areas. The prime areas continue to be fundamental throughout the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

· Personal, Social and Emotional Development

· Communication and Language

· Physical development

Specific Areas of Learning
The specific areas include essential skills and knowledge. They grow out of the prime areas and provide important contexts for learning.

· Literacy

· Mathematics

· Understanding the World

· Expressive Arts and Design

Characteristics of Effective Learning
The characteristics of effective learning are how children learn through engaging with other people and their environment.

· Playing and exploring

· Active learning

· Creating and thinking critically

These underpin learning and development across all areas and support the child to remain an effective and motivated learner.

Click the link below for information on what to expect when your child is in the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum: http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/files/2015/03/4Children_ParentsGuide_2015_WEB.pdf

We use an on-line learning journal to regularly record our observations of your child’s learning. This can be accessed via the website or you can download the Tapestry app for your phone/tablet. This allows you to easily upload your own comments and photos of your child ‘s learning and experiences out of school.
 

Follow the link to find out more about the Tapestry Learning Journal.
http://eyfs.info/forums/topic/46915-introductory-walk-through-browser-overview/
 

Follow the link to login to your child’s Tapestry Learning Journal.
https://eylj.org/

Phonics
 

In school, we us the  'Song of Sounds' programme to teach early reading and writing.

Words are made up of different sounds which we call phonemes. As we read and write we identify these sounds and assemble them into words we can understand. The ability to decode words this way is known as phonics.

Follow the link to hear the sounds the letters make.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqhXUW_v-1s

Follow the link to view the action the children learn alongside each sound.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1he7WQ0N-_M&list=PLB7C33A98174FD1DC&index=9

Forest School
 

Forest School is an opportunity for children to learn outdoors. Using the natural environment they put into practice all of their in class learning, and experiences to lead their own exploration and discovery. It is a holistic approach, focussing on all aspects of the children’s learning and development.
 

Our children will take part in weekly Forest School sessions.