Early Years is where our youngest pupils start their school years at the Learn to Live Federation from the age of 3. Each pupil and their parent/carer has a bespoke transition package of support on confirmation of placement and upon entry to our school. Early Years teachers liaise with pre-schools and nurseries to gain knowledge and understanding of the pupil’s learning needs, levels of development and personal care. Careful and sensitive planning ensures the best outcomes and a smooth transition.
Our Early Years provision and curriculum focuses on practical, play based, experiential learning and the child’s interests are underpinned by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework and the non-statutory guidance document Development Matters. There is an emphasis on creating honest and trusting relationships with pupils as well as their families, so that each pupil feel safe and secure and ready to learn. Through continuous child-initiated and child- and teacher-led provision, we provide play based learning opportunities aimed to fascinate, inspire, motivate and engage children. Enabling environments and a creative and innovative approach to the curriculum ensures we provide motivating learning opportunities through which adults observe and engage with pupils, therefore getting to know them well. This enables us to assess their understanding, existing skills and knowledge and learning styleand use this to plan for the next steps in their development. This also allows us to work towards building and developing relationships and enables us to assess their individual learning styles to prepare children for lifelong learning.
Our pupils have access to a range of highly engaging indoor and outdoor play opportunities throughout the day which enables them to develop Personal, Social and Emotional skills within the school environment. By providing a balance of child-initiated and adult-led experiences our pupils explore and develop learning skills, which help them make sense of the world, and is balanced with routine and structure.
Every child deserves the best possible start in life, in the Early Years we aim to give this by focusing on what they can do and supporting them to fulfil their potential and become effective learners.
The EYFS Framework is made up of seven areas:
Prime Areas
- Communication and Language
- Physical Development
- Personal, social and emotional development
Specific Areas
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the world
- Expressive arts and design