Welcome to Early Years!
In the Early Years, we are passionate about providing our children with the best start for their learning journey. We aim to create a safe, caring, happy and stimulating learning environment where we build strong foundations for both academic and personal success.
Please click to see our Curriculum Intent, Implementation & Impact Statement for Early Years
(please note these are working documents and are being updated regularly)
Early Years Foundation Stage Prospectus
Please click here to view a copy of our Early Years Prospectus
Who’s Who?
Our Early Years Classroom
Our Early Years classroom is part of the extension of our school. It is a purpose built Early Years classroom with its own toilets and outdoor learning area. It is split into designated areas for learning with open ended resources provided so that children can lead their own learning.
Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum
Our Early Foundation Stage Years Curriculum is designed to provide a broad and balanced education that meets the needs of all of our pupils. It facilitates them to gain skills, knowledge and understanding as they begin their educational journey. We support all of our EYFS children to progress from their individual starting points and prepare them for the next stage of their education. We plan purposeful play activities and experiences, indoors and outdoors, with a balance of child initiated and adult led activities. Have a look below at our long-term overview to see what your child will be learning when they are with us.
We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum whilst children are in their Reception year at Stanton Primary School. Have a look below at the parent friendly version. It explains what your child should know and by what age and shows you what they are aiming for by the time they leave Reception. Please bear in mind that all children develop at different rates and at Stanton Primary School we get to know all of our children personally so that we can plan appropriate teaching and learning activities for all of our Early Years children.
A Typical Day in Our Early Years Classroom
A typical day in our Early Years classroom is organised through:
Adult focused activities – where the children work in small groups, or individually with an adult to acquire and be supported in learning new skills,
and
Child initiated/independent activities – where the children work in our ‘zones’ to develop their skills in becoming independent learners.
Skills in these child initiated or independent activities are developed through carefully planned activities in our ‘zones’ which are linked to the areas of the curriculum. Typical zones in the classroom are:
Writing Area Computer Area Construction Area
Fine Motor Skills Area Phonics Area Maths Area
Creative Area Small World Area Outdoor Area
Listening Area Reading Area Malleable Area
Role-Play Area Investigation Area
Children will start the day with a phonics lesson and then move into either Literacy or Maths. They will have an opportunity for fruit and milk (provided by school) in the middle of the morning and a playtime. The children will then have lunch in the school hall and then playtime outside. Children in our Early Years are all provided with a free school meal or are able to bring their own packed lunch from home. In the afternoon they will have a topic lesson based on our topic for the half-term.
Have a look below at some photos of children learning in both our indoor and outdoor environments.
Muddy Monsters
Our Early Years children are lucky to have a timetabled outdoor session every week led by Mrs Beesley. We have named these sessions Muddy Monsters. The children bring in appropriate clothing for these sessions, these then remain in school. Clothes are sent home at the end of each half term for cleaning. A muddy monsters kit should include a waterproof all in one or waterproof trousers and top, wellies and a hat and gloves. Our children love these sessions and really look forward to them. It is a great way for them to show us different sides to their personalities and learning. Please see below some photos of the things we get up to during our Muddy Monsters sessions.
Your Child's Learning Journey
We believe that it is vital for us to work in partnership with parents during a child’s time in Early Years and as such we use Tapestry as a way of sharing your child’s learning journey with you throughout the year. We add WOW! moments and observations, and ask for your input too! Tapestry is a lovely way for us to share learning at school and you to share your child’s learning at home.
For more information on Tapestry click here.
https://tapestry.info/parents-carers.html
We also hold half termly Learning Journey sessions where parents are invited into school. Each session has a different Early Years curriculum focus and it is a great way to share how we teach aspects of our curriculum to your child.
Starting School
We know that starting school is a huge milestone for all of our children and we aim to make the transition into school as smooth as is possible. We work closely with parents to ensure that all children settle into school life as quickly as possible. We hold an Open Morning in November where parents and their children are welcome to come and look around our school (this takes place before school choices have to be made). We also have an extensive induction process for all of our Reception children before they start school. We hold an Induction Afternoon for parents in June and have Stay and Play sessions for the children for 3 afternoons in June and July.
For more information on admissions please click here.
Getting Ready for School Poster
Getting Ready for School Checklist
The website below has some lovely activities for children starting school.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/collections/starting-primary-school/1
Useful Websites
https://hungrylittleminds.campaign.gov.uk
https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people
https://new.phonicsplay.co.uk/
https://www.teachyourmonstertoread.com
https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/leisure/libraries/ebooks/ebooks-emagazines-and-eaudiobooks.aspx
