Parklands Primary School
EYFS Policy
Our Vision
Parklands Primary School believes in creating a culture of high expectation, collaboration and ambition amongst all members of the school community.
We aim to instil a desire for constant improvement amongst ourselves, staff, governors and children and deliver inspired teaching that encourages positive attitudes towards lifelong learning. We want our children to feel valued and confident as individuals and ensure they feel supported, safe and cared for in our school. Our aim is for children to leave Parklands Primary School with a clear sense of responsibility and independence and an understanding of the importance of community and how their behaviour impacts upon others. We aim to inspire success in our children by creating rounded individuals who seek out lifelong opportunities to learn in order to be the best they can be.
We lay the foundations for each individual’s future and for dreams to be fulfilled – whatever they may be. We aim to:
The Early Years Foundation Stage
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Policy must be read in conjunction with the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage which the school adheres to as well as whole school policies.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) applies to children from birth to the end of the Reception year. At Parklands Primary School the majority of children join us at the beginning of their nursery year and attend either part time or full time, some of the children start at our nursery from two years old. We also have children that join us at the start of the reception year. Where spaces in the nursery are available, these may be offered to younger children who meet a set criteria. We operate a staggered approach to our intake to ensure the children have time to settle into their surroundings and practitioners can get to know them.
At Parklands Primary School we have:
Our EYFS is based upon four principles:
At Parklands Primary School we recognise that every child is a competent learner who can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured. We recognise that children develop in individual ways and at varying rates. Children’s attitudes and dispositions to learning are influenced by feedback from others; we use praise and encouragement, as well as celebrations of work and achievements, and rewards, to encourage children to develop a positive attitude to learning.
1.1 Inclusion:
We value the diversity of individuals within the school and do not discriminate against children because of ‘differences’. All children at Parklands Primary School are treated fairly and all children and their families are valued.
In our school we believe that all our children matter. We give our children every opportunity to achieve their best. We do this by taking account of our children’s range of life experiences when planning for their learning.
In the EYFS we set realistic and challenging expectations that meet the needs of the children. In planning we ensure that we meet the needs of all the learners using practitioner’s knowledge and both formative and summative assessment procedures.
We meet the needs of all our children through:
It is important to us that all children in our school feel ‘safe’. We aim to educate children on boundaries, rules and limits and to help them understand why they exist. We provide children with choices to help them develop this important life skill. Children should be allowed to take risks, but are also taught how to recognise and avoid hazards.
1.2 Welfare:
At Parklands Primary School we comply with the welfare requirements as stated in the Statutory Framework for Early Years Foundation Stage 2021. We understand that we are required to:
We endeavour to meet all these requirements (see whole school policies for further information).
At Parklands Primary School we recognise that children learn to be strong and independent. We aim to develop caring, respectful, professional relationships with the children and their families.
Parents as Partners
We recognise that parents are the children’s first and most enduring educators and we value the contribution they make.
We recognise the role that parents have played in their future role, in educating the children. We do this through:
All staff involved in the EYFS aim to develop good relationships with all children, interacting positively with them and taking time to listen. At our school both the teachers and support staff act as a Key Person to an assigned group of children.
At Parklands Primary School we recognise that the environment plays a key role in supporting and extending the children’s development. This begins by observing the children and assessing their interests, development and learning, before planning challenging but achievable activities and experiences to extend the children’s learning.
3.1 Observation, Assessment and Planning
The planning within the EYFS includes ‘Medium Term Plans,’ which are based around half termly themes. These plans are used by the EYFS teachers as a guide for weekly planning; however the teacher may alter the ‘Medium Term Plans’ in response to the needs (achievements and interests) of the children.
We make regular assessments of children’s learning. This information is used to ensure that future planning reflects identified needs. Assessment in the EYFS takes the form of observation, and this involves all adults within the Early Years setting and regular training is provided for key members of the Early Years team to ensure judgements and observations are accurate and informative. These observations are recorded using Target Tracker.
At Parklands Primary School, we use a tracking system to record the children’s developmental ages. We also track the lowest percentage of children in terms of attainment, which changes on a cyclical process. Within the final term of both nursery and reception, we provide a written summary to parents, reporting their progress against the prime areas and the specific areas of learning and we also report on their child’s characteristics of effective learning. We provide an opportunity for the parents to discuss this with their child’s EYFS teacher during an open session at the end of the year or alternatively the parents can arrange a meeting with their child’s class teacher.
3.2 The Learning Environment
The EYFS classroom is organised to allow children to explore and learn securely and safely. There are areas where the children can be active, explore and investigate, be creative and imaginative or be quiet and rest. The classroom is set up in learning areas, where children are able to find and locate equipment and resources independently. The EYFS class has its own enclosed outdoor area. This has a positive effect on the children’s development. Being outdoors offers opportunities for doing things in different ways and on different scales than when indoors. It offers the children space to explore, use their senses and be physically active and exuberant. We plan activities and resources for the children to access outdoors that help the children to develop in all seven areas of learning.
At Parklands Primary School we recognise that children learn and develop in different ways and at different rates. We value all areas of learning and development equally and understand that they are inter connected. Our policy on learning and teaching in the EYFS defines the features of effective learning and teaching in our school. Features that relate to the EYFS are:
4.1 Play
Through play our children explore and develop learning experiences, which help them make sense of the world. They practise and build up ideas, and learn how to control themselves and understand the need for rules. They have the opportunity to think creatively alongside other children as well as on their own. They communicate with others as they investigate and solve problems. They express fears or re-live anxious experiences in controlled and safe situations.
4.2 Active Learning
Active learning occurs when children are motivated and interested. Children need to have some independence and control over their learning. As children develop their confidence they learn to make decisions. It provides children with a sense of satisfaction as they take ownership of their learning.
4.3 Creativity and Critical Thinking
Children are given opportunity to be creative through all areas of learning. Adults support children’s thinking and help them to make connections by showing genuine interest, offering encouragement, clarifying ideas and asking open questions. Children can access resources freely and are allowed to move them around the environment to extend their learning.
Educational Programmes
There are seven areas of learning and development that must shape educational programmes in early years settings. These seven areas of learning and development are important and are inter-connected.
The EYFS is made up of seven areas of learning:
The Prime Areas:
The Specific Areas:
None of these areas can be delivered in isolation from the others. They are equally important and depend on each other. All areas are delivered through a balance of adult led and child-initiated activities. The practitioners within the setting are aware and fully trained on how to deliver the Early Years curriculum thinking of the seven areas of learning and also the characteristics of effective learning. The characteristics of effective learning are;
These characteristics are embedded into the curriculum and everyday practise and support the children’s learning across all areas.
Review
We are aware of the need to review the school Early Years Foundation Stage Policy regularly so that we can take account of changes in the Statutory Framework, new initiatives, changes in the curriculum, developments in technology or changes to the physical environment of the school.
During the review consideration will be given to:
This policy has been reviewed and no individual or group are disadvantaged by the policy or process therein.
Date Reviewed: Autumn Term 2021
Review Date: Autumn Term 2022