EYFS

At Woodford Valley we believe that children learn best and thrive in a play based environment.  We celebrate how children are all unique and we work hard to ensure that children can follow their own interests in an environment that supports them to make progress and imbed new skills.  This means that children are engaged and motivated. 

Intent

At Woodford Valley, we strive to promote learning and development within a welcoming, friendly and secure environment which recognises, compliments and celebrates children’s achievements. We deliver a well-planned and progressive curriculum which allows all children to progress, succeed and develop skills and independence over time. This is reflected across the seven areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum, which identifies ‘Prime’ and ‘ Specific’ Areas of Learning. We intend to ensure that all children receive a positive start to their school education, by building trust with children and families, getting to know what children can do and build on that. We encourage and promote children’s independence in their learning and play. We value the development of the whole child, socially, emotionally, spiritually and academically, celebrating individual differences and promote equal opportunities for all children, including children with Special Educational Needs.

 Implementation

During the Reception year, children undertake a mixture of child-initiated, child led, adult-initiated and adult directed play-based learning activities in line with the Early Year’s Curriculum, which provides a clear comprehensive progression of skills and knowledge developed from the Early Years Foundation Stage learning programmes. Children’s learning, development and interests are regularly monitored and assessed using non-statutory guidance from Development Matters and Birth to Five Matters alongside practitioner knowledge, this is then used to shape new teaching and learning experiences for each child matching their developmental stage and creating a unique curriculum.  Towards the end of Reception year, there is a greater focus on teaching knowledge and skills in the specific areas of the curriculum, Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, Expressive Arts and Design, to prepare children for a smooth transition into Year 1.

Our provision offers children a constant environment allowing them to explore their interests and gain new experiences, whilst practising skills taught.  It allows children to become independent in making choices, supporting children in becoming active learners and enabling them to imbed new skills. Enhancements and provocations are regularly added to complement children’s interests, next steps or Topic.  We also enhance learning by welcoming visitors and experiencing trips.  We support children’s learning and development across all seven areas of the Early Years Curriculum whilst celebrating the importance of the Characteristics of Effective Learning.

Impact

At Woodford Valley, we deliver a well planned and progressive curriculum which allows all children to progress and succeed.  Children at Woodford Valley are independent, creative learners using their knowledge and skills meaningfully. Impact is assessed each term and at the end of the Reception Year in June against the Early Learning Goals (ELGs), using the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP). This reflects each individual’s attainment across each of the seven areas of learning. The Early Learning Goals describe the ‘Expected’ level of attainment for a Reception child at the end of the Reception year. Pupil’s progress is assessed under two bands, ‘Emerging’ or ‘Expected’ against each Early Learning Goal.

Planning

We have a new Topic for each full term (see below), the Topic Web acts as a general guide, although the Topic remains the same the objectives  and activities may change depending on the skill development and interests of the children at the time.  When we start a new Topic we begin with the children’s understanding as a starting point and develop new knowledge and skills from there using the non-statutory guides Development Matters and Birth to Five Matters, our provision reflects the children’s interests and skill development that we have identified through observations and assessment.  Here are examples of our Topic webs throughout the year;