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Plaistow Primary School

The Early Years Foundation Stage

At Plaistow, we believe that Early Years education is fundamental in creating joyful, creative and aspirational learners.

Research shows that that high quality early years education makes a life-long, positive difference to children and this is our mission at Plaistow Primary School. 

EYFS Policy - Plaistow Primary School

Our Early Years consists of a Nursery for children aged 3 and over offering full (30 hours) and part-time (15 hours) places. Children enter our Reception in September from when they are 4 years old.

We provide all children with a rich, safe and stimulating environment that is inclusive and supportive for all.  Learning is play-based and takes place both indoors and outside.  

Our practitioners have an excellent knowledge of child development which informs the planning and decisions we make in order to move learning on in a challenging, yet supportive and nurturing way. 

Our Early Years curriculum is rooted in high quality inclusive texts so that our children develop a love of reading whilst being immersed in vocabulary to aid their language development. 

Children have access to both inside and outdoor provision when learning. Our exciting outdoor space is designed to offer both challenge and independence.

We ensure that:

  • children access a broad and balanced curriculum that is based on high quality texts.
  • children access an enabling environment that is rooted in high quality play. 
  • children access a personalised learning journey is developed and supported through equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice to ensure good progress and that no child gets left behind.
  • we create an environment which supports strong partnerships between children, practitioners and parents and/or carers.
  • we make sure that our practice ensures pupils feel happy, secure and safe to become independent, self-assured risk takers who are confident, resilient and motivated to learn in many different ways. 

Our Early Years Curriculum

We plan an exciting and challenging thematic curriculum based on high quality, inclusive texts. 

Our adult directed activities teach children new skills and knowledge. Our team plans celebrations of learning which widen the horizons of children and allow them to experience rich and fascinating experiences to inspire, enthuse and motivate. 

Through enhanced provision, children are able to engage with the theme. Children are given the freedom and independence to engage with learning activities at their own pace. They can build upon ideas, create new ones and use their imagination as they wish. 

We offer an exceptionally high quality of continuous provision to all pupils, every day. These resources can be selected by the pupils to play with and really embed their new knowledge and skills.

Our staff understand that young children do not develop in a fixed way. Their development is like a spider’s web with many strands, not a straight line; our thematic curriculum works perfectly to meet the needs of all children regardless of their stage of development.

All seven areas of learning and development are important and interconnected.

Three areas are particularly important for building a foundation for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, forming relationships and thriving, both in the EYFS and into Year 1. These three areas are the prime areas.

Children are also supported through the four specific areas, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied.

Our practitioners get to know each pupil as an individual and planning is based on what the children already know, building on their existing knowledge to help them learn and grow.

Regular assessments ensure that children are challenged and that learning is accelerated. Staff plan regular opportunities for child initiated learning and play alongside teacher directed learning based on their assessments and next steps.

Our EYFS Curriculum works on a three-year cycle. Our Nursery and Reception teachers plan their learning around the same core texts each term, with the whole of EYFS joining together to ensure continuity and progression. Each term we work towards four outcomes that showcase a celebration of our learning.

EYFS Autumn Term Curriculum Maps

EYFS - We're Going on a Bear Hunt

EYFS - Lost in the Toy Museum

EYFS Spring Term Curriculum Maps

EYFS - The Incredible Book-Eating Boy

EYFS - Izzy Gizmo

EYFS - Hello

EYFS Summer Term Curriculum Maps

EYFS - The Very Hungry CaterpillarEYFS - Building a Home