Every child who joins our Early Years begins their learning journey with us, and we want that start to be a happy, confident and ambitious one. Our EYFS curriculum is broad and balanced, built on the statutory framework and shaped around the children in front of us. We get to know each child’s interests, strengths and needs, and use what we learn to plan experiences that help them take their next steps and prepare them for now and for the future.

What we want for our children

We want our children to become:

• Curious, creative learners who ask questions and explore the world around them
• Secure, confident individuals who love coming to school and build on what they already know
• Skilful communicators who connect with others through talk and play in a rich, vocabulary-filled environment

Language and early reading

Communication sits at the heart of everything we do. Our classrooms are full of talk, stories, songs and new words, giving children strong foundations for speaking, listening and thinking.

Every child receives high-quality, daily teaching of early reading through systematic synthetic phonics. Our aim is for every child to read words and simple sentences accurately by the end of Reception, and to develop a genuine love of books along the way.

A curriculum rooted in our community

Our curriculum reflects the needs of our local community. Familiar topics connect to children’s own lives, while new and unfamiliar ones spark curiosity about the wider world. Children feel safe and secure enough to take risks, and are challenged with new learning every day.

We place particular emphasis on relationships and on the characteristics of effective learning: playing and exploring, active learning, and creating and thinking critically. These are the habits that help children become independent, resilient learners for life.

Every child, every background

Our values of Respect, Integrity, Forgiveness, Endeavour, Safety and Inclusion guide our Early Years as they do the whole school. We create a nurturing environment where every child can flourish, whatever their background, circumstances or needs. We support each child to grow physically, verbally, cognitively and emotionally, and to develop a positive attitude to school that lasts.

Working together with families

Parents and carers are a child’s first and most important educators. We work closely with families to help our children become enthusiastic, independent learners who thrive and reach their full potential.