Preston Primary School, Station Road,
Preston, East Riding of Yorkshire, HU12 8UY
Email:
office@prestonprimaryschool.co.uk
Telephone: 01482 896800
Safeguarding Lead: jferguson@prestonprimaryschool.co.uk
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
Play is the highest form of research - Albert Einstein
In the Early Years at Preston Primary School, we recognise that every child deserves the best possible start to their school-life and education. We are committed to providing the support and high quality teaching and learning experiences, as set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework, that enable every child to reach their full potential. We aim to provide a stimulating and enabling learning environment in which children feel safe, secure and happy, and through which they have the best possible start to their education, in our school and beyond.
EYFS Curriculum
The curriculum for the Foundation Stage is centred around 7 areas of learning, 3 of these are prime areas and 4 are specific areas.
All seven areas of learning and development in the Foundation Stage are important and inter-connected, but we recognise the particular importance of the Prime Areas - Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Communication and Language, and Physical Development. These areas are a constant focus for us as practitioners and we strive to ensure our environment, routines, relationships and activities encourage all of our pupils to grow and develop well in these areas, so that they can successfully develop skills in the four specific areas of Literacy, Maths, Understanding the World and Expressive Arts and Design. We use the Jigsaw scheme to support our approach to PSHE.
Prime areas of Learning
Personal, Social and Emotional Development includes Self Regulation, Managing Self and Building Relationships. This is crucial for children to lead healthy and happy lives, and is fundamental to their cognitive development. Within clear boundaries, children form positive relationships, develop social skills and respect for others, and understand appropriate behaviours.
Communication and Language includes Listening, Attention and Understanding, and Speaking. Children develop skills and confidence in speaking, understanding and listening in a range of situations.
Physical Development includes Gross Motor and Fine Motor Skills. Physical activity is vital in children’s all-round development, enabling them to pursue happy, healthy and active lives.
Specific areas of Learning
Literacy includes Comprehension, Word Reading and Writing. Children learn to link sounds and letters through daily phonics sessions and begin to read and write. There are regular opportunities for story telling and sharing a wide range of books. Handwriting is continually taught and practised.
Maths includes Number and Numerical Patterns. Our daily maths lesson involves direct teaching and focused maths experiences, including conversations about numbers, number sequences and patterns, maths in everyday life and shape awareness.
Understanding of the World includes Past and Present, People, Culture and Communities and The Natural World. Children also develop an awareness and understanding of various beliefs and traditions throughout the school year.
Expressive Art and Design includes Creating with Materials & Being Imaginative and Expressive. This involves exploring a wide range of media and sharing thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role-play, and design and technology.
How is the EYFS curriculum organised at Preston Primary School?
Our curriculum is based around themes, intended to provide rich and varied experiences, relevant to the time of year, to spark children’s interest and encourage them to explore new ideas, expand their knowledge and learn new skills.
We understand the importance of play and child-led learning, and this is at the centre of our Early Years Curriculum. We value the interests of our children and know how important it is for them, as unique individuals, to lead and be in control of their own learning.
Independent Learning through Play / Our Continuous Provision
Children have access to a wide range of activities both inside the classroom and in our fabulous outdoor area.
Our areas include:-
- Role Play / Home Corner
- Building and Construction (small inside, large outside)
- Creative Area
- Malleables such as Dough or Clay
- Designing and Building (modelling using boxes/craft materials)
- Maths resources
- Writing materials
- Science and Investigating
- Small World
- Sand, Water and Mud Kitchen
Adult-led Activities
These activities focus on the following throughout the week:-
- Phonics
- Reading
- Writing
- Language Development
- Handwriting
- Mathematical Development
- Topic Focus
Reception Baseline Assessment
The reception baseline assessment (RBA) is a short, task-based assessment of your child’s early literacy, communication, language and mathematics skills when they begin school. It is statutory for all schools (from September 2021).
We complete this assessment within the first 6 weeks of your child starting the reception class. The assessment creates a starting point to measure the progress schools make with their pupils. Your child does not need to prepare. There is no pass mark or score and your child should not realise they’re doing an assessment. The activities are simple, age-appropriate and fun. If you require any further information on the reception baseline assessment, please contact the school and a member of the Foundation team will be happy to discuss it with you.
The Great Outdoors
Opportunities to learn outdoors are essential for the development and wellbeing of all children. We are passionate about children having fantastic experiences and weekly outdoor learning sessions form an important part of our curriculum.
