Early Years Foundation Stage
At Newbold Church School we recognise the importance of providing our children with a stimulating learning environment. This is enabled by good quality provision and clearly organised open ended resources, both outside and in. We use natural colours and furnishings to create a calming, safe and secure space that helps the children feel free while at the same time enabling them to concentrate better when they need to. Whether they are counting shells, making potions or climbing on the activity trail, your child will be developing problem solving skills, self-awareness and all the while becoming happy, confident individuals who will go on to make a positive and valuable contribution to society
We actively encourage children to participate in the planning process by influencing the direction that our themes take. The planning for our play-based curriculum is informed by the use of observational assessment and the needs and interests of the children. Building on what the children already know and understand enables them to develop and make progress. Play allows the children to explore, investigate and re-enact in an environment where they are free from fear and judgement. And it’s through play children become socially adept while developing mastery in numeracy and literacy. It helps fine and gross motor skills development and helps develop core stability which in turn helps children to learn how to write and supports creative growth.
We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guidance and support children’s development under the seven areas of learning. These are:
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development – fostering children’s confidence, independence and social skills with peers and adults.
- Communication and Language – developing children’s oral language skills, broadening their vocabulary and understanding of the English language.
- Reading and Writing – using a variety of strategies including phonics, story times, Pie Corbett story telling techniques, guided reading and play based approaches to support early reading and writing.
- Mathematics – using songs and games to develop early numeracy skills including counting, addition, subtraction, sharing, creating patterns, measurements and using shapes.
- Expressive Arts and Design – giving children opportunities to develop their skills and imagination in art, dance, music and drama.
- Physical Development – providing opportunities in physical education lessons as well as through daily provision for children to develop their gross and fine motor skills, in preparation for developing their reading, numeracy and writing skills.
- Understanding the World – exploring the natural world, science and our communities in age-appropriate ways such as visits to church, gardening and cooking.
With good organisation and practitioners who really understand the way that young children learn, we have the capacity to provide the very best learning experience possible for our youngest children here at Newbold.
DFE guidance for parents about EYFS - What to expect in the early years.
Reception Baseline
When Children start in reception they will be undertaking a baseline assessment. For more details about what the baseline assessment consists of, please see the following link:
Parents information available below:
Updated October 2024