Welcome to Early Years!
At Stanton Primary School we endeavour to create an inspiring, nurturing, happy and inclusive environment in which all of our children can thrive. We encourage and support our children to strive for personal excellence in all that they do. We work hard to ensure all our children have equal opportunities to learn, grow and dream of a bright and prosperous future. We recognise play as an integral part of learning and, as such, it is at the heart of our Early Years Foundation Stage experience. Through a broad and balanced provision, with enriching learning opportunities provided indoors and out, children at Stanton Primary School are encouraged to be curious, to explore, and to grow from their diverse starting points.
Please click the link below to explore our Curriculum Intent, Implementation and Impact Statement
(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?
Meet our teaching team for the 2025 - 2026 academic year!
Mrs Fordham Miss Harrison
Class Teacher Teaching Assistant
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. We use our space wisely to create a learning atmosphere that is inclusive and nurturing for all children. The classroom offers many different learning areas, which are equiped with a variety of resources that allow children to be led by their own curiosity, enabling them to direct 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 transition to next stage of their schooling. 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.
When children are in their Reception year at Stanton Primary School, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. Please access the link below to see 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 their own pace. At Stanton Primary School we pride ourselves on getting to know all of our children personally, valuing each child's unique learning journey. We plan enriching teaching and learning activities to ensure good progress 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 a careful balance of:
- Adult focused activities – where the children work in small groups, or individually with an adult, to acquire and be supported in learning new skills,
- Child initiated/independent activities – where the children work in our continuous provision learning areas to develop their skills in becoming independent learners.
Skills in these child initiated or independent activities are developed through carefully planned activities or enhancements in our ‘zones’ which are linked to the areas of the curriculum. Typical zones in the classroom are:
Writing Area Construction Area Malleable Area
Fine Motor Skills Area Phonics Area Maths Area
Creative Area Small World Area Outdoor Area
Listening Area Reading Area
Role-Play Area Investigation Area
Children will begin the day with movement or fine motor activity, before moving on to a phonics lesson. We then move into either Literacy or Maths. Children will have an opportunity for a fruit and milk snack in the middle of the morning, and a playtime on the main school playground. After an adult initiate Maths activity and a period of choosing time, 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. Throughout the week, our afternoon sessions focus primarly of activities that develop knowledge and understanding of the world and expressive arts and design, as well as outdoor learning sessions in our Forest School area.
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 the Autumn 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
