INTENT 

In our EYFS unit we intend to:

• To create a happy, safe and nurturing environment where children develop their independence as learners.
• To provide a curriculum which is exciting and motivates children to love learning.
• To create an environment where children develop resilience, friendships and positive relationships.
• To ensure that learning is accessible for all and that children’s individual progress is valued.
• To provide a stimulating indoor and outdoor environment where children safely explore risks and challenge their own learning.
• To work closely and collaboratively with parents in order to ensure we value home experiences and develop a true reflection of the whole child.
• To effectively prepare children for the next stage of their school life. 

We will assess children on entry in order to build on the skills, knowledge and understanding that they have. This information is used to develop children holistically and will ensure that all aspects of early childhood development are catered for. At Cherry Orchard Primary School we promote a language-rich curriculum in our Early Years and know that this is essential to the successful acquisition across the curriculum. The development of speech and language is identified as one of the most important parts of our schools Early Years’ curriculum. The curriculum is progressive and coherently planned to incorporate child choice and to build upon the children’s current knowledge.

IMPLEMENTATION 

Across our EYFS, we follow the Early Years Statutory Framework and Development Matters.  These specifiy the requirement for learning and development in the Early Years and provide prime and specific areas of learning we must cover in our curriculum.

Prime Areas:

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
• Physical Development
• Communication and Language development

Specific Areas:

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the World
• Expressive Arts and Design

We also incorporate the Characteristics of Effective Learning (COEL) into all teaching and learning experiences. The children are taught the skills required in the EYFS through  half-termly themes and a Creative Curriculum with an exciting  'Grab' and purposeful activities around this. The themes are coherently planned to build upon the children’s current knowledge and understanding through a cumulative sequence of lessons. The pupils are encouraged to wonder and ask questions about what they are learning, and this information is used to plan subsequent lessons. Parents are regularly informed about their child’s progress and they are provided with the expectations and requirements needed to meet the age-related expectations through a series or workshops across the academic year. Parents also get the opportunity to come and work alongside their children in ' Stay, Play and Learn' sessions. 

IMPACT 

Through the delivery of a well-planned, child-led and challenging curriculum we aim that the pupils will leave the Early Years Foundation Stage as independent learners, with the transferrable skills needed for a strong start Key Stage One. This will be measured at the end of Reception against the Early Learning Goals, and a judgement made as to whether pupils have achieved a Good Level of Development and have met Age Related Expectations.

Our pupils will leave at the end of their Reception year ready for the next stage in their education and ready for Year 1 by:- 

• Using their phonics knowledge to read accurately with increasing speed and fluency. 
• Writing simple phrases and sentences, with most letters correctly formed.
• Understanding and using early number
• Having good personal, physical and social skills.
• Enjoying, listening attentively and responding with comprehension to familiar stories and rhymes. 
• Demonstrating positive attitudes to learning through high levels of curiosity, concentration and enjoyment. Children will listen intently and respond positively to adults and each other.
• Being resilient learners who are keen to learn and are proud of their achievements.