The Early Years Foundation Stage at Silfield Oak

Children who attend Silfield Oak Primary will have an exceptional early years education, giving them the foundations to thrive in KS1 and beyond. With a high-quality and evidence informed environment, ambitious curriculum, high spec facilities and reading at the heart, every child will have the opportunity to flourish.

Our curriculum clearly identifies the foundational knowledge and skills that children will learn to build upon in year 1. The children are given high-quality opportunities to practise using foundational knowledge and skills so that they become fluent. With a carefully planned balance between high skilled, assessment informed play and quality first direct teaching and guided practice our curriculum promotes the development of the ‘whole’ child.

The Early Years Foundation Stage

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) covers from birth until the age of 5 years.  There are 4 key principles in the EYFS:-

• The Unique Child – each child is valued as an individual learner and we recognise that children learn at different paces and in different ways.  We support them to be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured individuals.

• Positive Relationships – relationships between adults and children are vital in securing progress.  We are sensitive to children’s needs, feelings and interests.  We praise their efforts and encourage them to be independent.

• Enabling Environments – we pride ourselves on our stimulating resources, both indoors and outside.  We offer rich learning opportunities through play and playful teaching.  Children are encouraged to take and manage risks, explore and discover.

• Learning and Development – the EYFS Curriculum is split into 7 areas of learning :-
  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development
  • Communication and Language
  • Physical Development
  • Literacy
  • Mathematics
  • Understanding the World
  • Expressive Arts and Design

All the 7 areas are inter-connected and are considered equally important to ensure the holistic development of your child. 

Within the EYFS, children learn through play along with a balance of direct teaching and guided group practice.  Children have lots of time for child-initiated learning which is then supported by adults in the setting. 

The children will have access to high quality and evidence informed free-flow both inside and outside.  All areas of the curriculum are meticulously planned for with high quality resources carefully selected to ensure all children make progress.  Play is always purposeful to ensure that children are practising, embedding and applying their learning and skills.

Reception Baseline Assessment

Follow the link to find out more about the Reception Baseline Assessment https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reception-baseline-assessment-information-for-parents/reception-baseline-assessment-information-for-parents