Catkins Curriculum map

EYFS Curriculum 2021-2022

Intent

At Milstead Church of England Primary School, we provide our Early Years children with a curriculum that is designed to be flexible, engaging and exciting so that their unique needs, passions and interests are embraced. Every child is an exceptional individual and we celebrate and respect differences within our school community. The ability to learn is underpinned by the teaching of basic skills, knowledge and values that equips our children for their future successes.

We inspire our children to become accomplished, happy individuals, ready to reach their full potential in an ever-changing world.

Our EYFS curriculum is driven to:

• Recognise children’s prior learning and experiences.
• Provide first hand learning experiences allow the children to develop interpersonal skills.
• Build resilience through our ‘Growth Mindset’ approach and become critical and creative thinkers.
• Foster the development of each child’s character.
• Develop their personal development, health and wellbeing by preparing them to make a valuable contribution to society.
• We pride ourselves on providing purposeful, enticing and well planned indoor and outdoor environments which supports learning in all areas of the curriculum and that prepare our children to meet the Early Learning goals at the end of the Foundation Stage.

At Milstead we work closely with our parents and carers in order to promote independent, confident and enthusiastic learners who thrive in school and develop a love for learning. Within our Reception class we plan for our children’s interests and provide opportunities throughout our EYFS curriculum to support learning, consolidate and deepen knowledge and ensure children meet their next steps.  We provide our children with a wide range of rich, first hand experiences to take the curriculum beyond the classroom and into their lives within the community.

Implementation

At Milstead, we recognise that our children learn best when they are healthy, safe and secure, when their individual needs are met and when they have positive relationships with the adults who care for them. We aim to provide a setting that encompasses a safe and stimulating environment where children are able to enjoy learning and grow in confidence and independence.

Our Reception class follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum (September 2021) and work towards the Early Learning Goals (At the End of the Reception Year).

There are seven areas of learning and development. All areas of learning and development are important and inter-connected.

Prime Areas:

• Communication and language
• Physical development
• Personal, social and emotional development

Specific Areas:

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the world
• Expressive arts and design

At Milstead the core aim of our Foundation Stage Curriculum is to provide a strong and solid platform. As children grow and progress, the prime areas will support them to develop skills in the four specific areas. Children in EYFS learn by playing and exploring, being active, and through creative and critical thinking which takes place both indoors and outside. Our outdoor area is used all year round.

We ensure activities support the Characteristics of Effective Learning.

• Playing and Exploring - children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’.
• Active Learning- children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties, and enjoy achievements.
• Creating and Thinking Critically- children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things.
• Our Big questions are driven from child-centred topics based on providing our pupils with ‘enticing experiences’. Subject knowledge of the updated EYFS curriculum is strong among all practitioners and is used to plan a broad, balanced and progressive learning environment and curriculum for all of our pupils.
• Effective continuous provision practise and principles support our children to develop key life skills such as independence, innovation, creativity, enquiry, analysis and problem solving. During the school day, children will have an opportunity to work independently, work collaboratively with their friends and with members of staff. We aim to provide regular opportunities for parents and carers to come into school and support their child, share their learning and celebrate successes. We keep parents informed through weekly school Newsletters and through the children’s individual Tapestry Learning Journals.

Impact

The impact of our curriculum at Milstead is measured by how effectively it helps our children develop into well rounded individuals who embody our school values and carry with them the knowledge, skills and attitudes which will make them lifelong learners and valuable future citizens. Our children make strong progress academically, emotionally, creatively, socially and physically. Knowledge, understanding and skills are secured and embedded so that children attain highly and are fully prepared for their new year group.

At the end of EYFS our children:

• Have strong communication skills, both written and verbal. Our children also listen respectfully and with tolerance to the views of others.
• Take pride in all that they do, always striving to do their best.
• Demonstrate emotional resilience and the ability to persevere when they encounter challenge.
• Develop a sense of self-awareness and become confident in their own abilities.
• Are kind, respectful and honest, demonstrate inclusive attitudes and have a sense of their role in our wider society.

Characteristics of Effective Learning

Playing and exploring: - Children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’. Children who actively participate in their own play develop a larger store of information and experiences to draw on which positively supports their learning

Active learning: - Children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties. They are proud of their own achievements. For children to develop into self-regulating, lifelong learners they are required to take ownership, accept challenges and learn persistence.

Creating and thinking critically: - Children develop their own ideas and make links between these ideas. They think flexibly and rationally, drawing on previous experiences which help them to solve problems and reach conclusions.

Over Arching Principles

Unique Child: Every child is unique and has the potential to be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.

Positive Relationships: Children flourish with warm, strong & positive partnerships between all staff and parents/carers. This promotes independence across the EYFS curriculum. Children and practitioners are NOT alone – embrace each community.

Enabling environments: Children learn and develop well in safe and secure environments where routines are established and where adults respond to their individual needs and passions and help them to build upon their learning over time.

Learning and Development: Children develop and learn at different rates. We must be aware of children who need greater support than others.

Active learning involves other children, adults, objects, ideas, stimuli and events that aim to engage and involve children for sustained periods. PLAY is essential for children’s development across all areas. Play builds on children’s confidence as they learn to explore, to relate to others around them and develop relationships, set their own goals and solve problems. Children learn by leading their own play and by taking part in play which is guided by adults.

Here is an overview of our learning opportunities for the year. 

Catkin long term curriculum map