EYFS
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) applies to children from birth to the end of their Reception year. At Laira Green Primary, children join our Reception class in September of the year that they turn five. In partnership with Parents and Carers, we enable the children to begin the process of becoming active learners for life.
In the EYFS, teaching and learning are informed by the best available evidence on how children learn and promotes the broad range of skills, knowledge and attitudes children need as foundations for good future progress. At Laira Green Primary we recognise that every child is special and that they will bring with them a range of unique experiences. We believe that children deserve the opportunity to reach their full potential and as such, we are proud to provide a friendly and safe environment that will enable them to do this in a stimulating and challenging way.
Our staff are sensitive and responsive to the individual needs of each child and planning for learning is based on these needs. We aim to create an attractive and stimulating learning environment where children feel confident, secure and challenged. The children have daily access to an indoor and outdoor environment that is set up in discrete areas of learning with planned continuous provision. A mix of play based learning and direct teaching is paramount and children direct their own learning from carefully planned opportunities. Staff will enhance play and extend as needed to further individual learning.
The Learning Environment is organised to allow children to explore and learn securely and safely. The classrooms cover all learning areas, where children are able to find and locate equipment and resources independently. The Reception children have their own large enclosed outdoor area. This has a positive effect on the children’s development because being outdoors offers opportunities for doing things in different ways and on different scales than when indoors. It offers the children the ability to explore, use their senses and be physically active and exuberant.
Children are encouraged to learn independently during free flow times but are also guided by five Independent Learning Challenges each week which ensure focus and engagement. These challenges build and extend upon prior learning in order to help children know and remember more. Through a daily Plan, Do and Review session children plan what they intend to learn, and develop vital skills such as creating and thinking critically.
Each week, in addition to daily Phonics and Maths lessons, children take part in guided sessions which build upon the knowledge and skills that they have been developing through their independent and directed learning. These guided sessions are taught through the use of a range of texts, which not only expose children to a rich and varied vocabulary, but also helps to develop a love for reading and a widening awareness of authors and genres.
Effective planning is informed by observations of the children to ensure we follow their current interests and experiences. These observations are recorded in the children’s individual electronic Learning Journeys called Tapestry and Parents/Carers are able to contribute to.
