EYFS Ash & Oak
Early Years Curriculum
Intent
At Weeke, we aim to provide an exciting and motivating learning experience where children are always ‘thinking, talking, doing’. We believe these active, first-hand experiences encourage children to build resilience, ambition, and a lifelong love of learning. Our carefully organised learning environment provides children with familiarity, giving them the tools and independence to be the leaders of their own learning. We recognise these first years of education are crucial in laying the foundations and language for their future learning, giving them the opportunity to explore, create and think critically alongside their peers. We recognise that all children are unique and will join us with their own set of life experiences. We celebrate and welcome these.
Implementation
We have designed our curriculum with these aims in mind to create a happy and productive learning experience for all our children. From the warm welcome on the door, the calm routines, the beautiful indoor and outdoor environment, to the inspiring experiences organised to link in with our learning, we are passionate about making the most of every opportunity!
Our curriculum involves half-term themes, such as ‘Who do you think you are?’ or ‘Down on the Farm’. We carefully structure our day to balance short adult-led learning with longer child-led learning sessions. We call the latter ‘choose your learning’, and this is where children can challenge themselves and follow their curiosity as they play and explore. Our staff team continually interact with children during these times to extend learning and maximise developmental progress.
Our children make great gains during EYFS, consistently showing high levels of well-being and engagement, demonstrating our school values of kindness, respect, responsibility and excellence.
Impact
The Early Years curriculum at Weeke is reflected by having well-rounded, happy and confident children transitioning into Year 1. Our children are often role models for others in school. We measure children’s learning and progress across the year through formative and summative assessment, which is based on the teachers’ knowledge of the child and their learning journeys.
We want you and your child(ren) to have an engaging and interesting learning experience as they go through Early Years. To achieve this, we have produced a range of resources, activities, videos and support guidance to help you be part of that learning journey. Please use the information and links on the page both with your child and as a guide to help you understand more about our curriculum.
EYFS Curriculum Documents
Below are a number of school and nationally recognised documents that will help you as a parent understand more about the Early Years Foundation Stage and our curriculum.
- Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage
- Development Matters - non-statutory curriculum guidance for Early Years Foundation Stage
Below is a link to a video that explains the areas of development in Early Years.
Weeke EYFS Curriculum - Yearly Overview
Weeke Aspirations
- Aspiration 1 - To build new friendships.pdf
- Aspiration 2 - To take care and responsibility for my environment.pdf
- Aspiration 3 - To learn to ride a balance bike.pdf
- Aspiration 4 - To build a model out of wood.pdf
- Aspiration 5 - To take a walk with my friends in the local area.pdf
- Aspiration 6 - To retell a story to another child in school.pdf
Learning Themes
AUTUMN 1 - Who do you think you are?
The key focus this half-term is making sure your child settles happily into school life. We spend lots of time getting to know them and building strong relationships. We also spend time learning the routines of school life, so your child is safe and has fun whilst exploring their learning. Our theme this half-term is 'Who do you think you are?' We have put together a Pinterest page with some suggestions about how you might support learning at home through this theme. Scan the QR code below on your phone or tablet, and it will take you to the Pinterest page or click on the link https://www.pinterest.co.uk/user_ctnmareshm/
A big focus will be on communication and language, encouraging your child to talk confidently about themselves and their family.
Communication and language
In school, the children will be encouraged to join in with carpet time, circle time and introduced to new vocabulary linked to our theme ‘Who do you think you are?’ At home, you could try talking about your day in full sentences and talk about things that have happened using the correct tense.
Personal, social and emotional development
The children will develop new friendships at the beginning of term. They will be encouraged to manage their own needs like changing, toileting and helping themselves to drink and snacks. We will be talking about our feelings and how to manage these effectively. At home, try standing back and letting your child get dressed for school independently and encourage them to gather their things for school. This will support their independence.
Physical development
In school, children will take part in PE twice a week - moving safely, balancing and participating in team games. In class, the children will be encouraged to choose a dominant hand to use for craft, writing and using scissors. At home, it would be helpful to support your child to use cutlery so that they are independent during school lunchtime.
Mark making
Start to practise and focus on the precision of the shapes below. They are pre-writing shapes. At home, make it fun by practising with chalk on the ground, with a paint brush, in the air and with felt tip pens.
Phonics and rich texts
We follow Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised to teach phonics and reading. Follow the link for further help on the Little Wandle parent support page.
Phase 2 graphemes: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d, g, o, c, k, ck, e, u, r, h, b, f, l
Tricky Words: is, I, the
What is my child learning in phonics this half-term?
Tricky Words in Early Years
These books will be our key texts during Autumn 1. We will listen and respond to them and retell familiar and traditional tales. Click on the books to listen to the story.
Maths
We will begin the Mastering Number programme. The children will learn to:
- subitise up to 4
- practise counting and know the last number counted is how many there is altogether
- understand the composition of 3 and 4, e.g. 2 and 1 make 3.
We will also start the White Rose Maths programme and talk about measure and patterns; comparing size, mass, capacity as well as creating simple patterns. Children will also learn about circles and triangles.
Visit the Maths Video page for some short videos to explain some of the key concepts.
We have found the 1-minute maths app created by White Rose Maths to be highly beneficial. Download the app from your app store on your tablet or phone. We recommend using the ‘subitising’ section and games 1 – 4 for this half term. See the photos below.
Understanding the World
In school, we will talk about the changing seasons. We will also talk about members of their immediate family. On your way to school, talk about the weather and the changing seasons. Ask your child what they notice, e.g. colours of the trees, leaves on the floor, flowers etc.
Expressive arts and design
In school, we will be exploring mark-making skills and drawing portraits of themselves using mirrors. Listening attentively and talking about music. At home, encourage your child to look in the mirror and have a go at drawing themselves.