Foundation Stage

Children in Reception learn through the curriculum for the EYFS. The seven areas of learning and their key content is set down by the Department of Education. The manner in which it is delivered and taught is for schools to determine. Each child’s learning is recorded in their Learning Journal. Young children often showing skills and attributes at home that they don’t yet demonstrate in a school setting. Your child’s teacher will let you know how to contribute to the record of your child’s achievements at home.

Child initiated learning is where a child chooses an activity. This forms the majority of evidence used for assessment. Teachers also teach or guide directly. This supports assessment and, importantly, will enhance what children are choosing to do themselves.

An indoor and outdoor classroom means children can learn and explore in a place they feel comfortable
with activities they prefer. The EYFS curriculum has seven areas of learning, 3 prime and 4 specific. Within each area are different strands (in brackets) leading to 17 Early Learning Goals. Each area is underpinned by 3 characteristics of
effective learning and teaching.

At the end of the year assessments are gathered used to inform a summative assessment against the Early Learning
Goals for each aspect in the 7 areas (17 early learning goals). Parents will be informed whether a child is emerging (not yet achieving the ELG), expected (has achieved the ELG) or exceeding (above the ELG). When a child is assessed at exceeding they are working on the National Curriculum in that area. Children emerging continue to learn through the EYFS until they are ready to move onto the National Curriculum in Year 1.