The Early Years Foundation Stage

Manford Primary School's curriculum is designed to provide a balanced and enriching educational experience, fostering the development of confident, responsible, and well-rounded individuals.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is a national birth to five curriculum.  In the Nursery and Reception classes the children follow a planned programme of learning experiences which support child development and ensure that children make good progress toward end of key stage 'learning goals' for the first stage of their education.

There are 3 Prime areas:

Communication and Language

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Physical Development

There are also 4 Specific areas, through which the prime areas are strengthened and applied:

Literacy

Mathematics

Understanding the World

Expressive Arts and Design

 

While planning and delivering activities across these 7 areas, we are also observing how children approach school life and we are supporting their development in the characteristics of effective learning, identified as:

Playing and Exploring

Active Learning

Creating and Thinking Critically

A typical day/session in an Early Years classroom will include some whole class activities, and also time for children to work in small groups or individually, either with a teacher or teaching assistant, or independently.  Children have extended opportunities to choose their own learning and explore the resources provided, both inside and outside.

Teachers organise the teaching opportunities around themes that allow the children to make links in their learning.  The themes are chosen based on the children's interests.  Please see your child’s Google Classroom account to see what the children are learning about this term, and how parents can help.

 

Our Curriculum

Intent:

At Manford Primary School, we offer an ambitious, meaningful, and progressive curriculum tailored to meet the needs and abilities of every child, enabling them to reach their full potential. Our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum aims to equip children with essential skills, knowledge, and understanding for future learning. We strive to nurture and shape kind, independent, and resilient individuals who can communicate effectively, solve problems, develop ideas, and think creatively.

By providing safe and nurturing learning environments that provide challenging experiences, we aim for our children to develop the cultural capital necessary for continued success in their learning.

Implementation:

Our Teaching Approach; We aim to be responsive to the needs of each child. In the initial weeks, our aim to is support children to settle into our Reception environment by building trusting relationships with the Reception team and making new friends. They will learn how to use their learning environment independently with support from all staff. Through our topics children will begin to be more aware of their emotions, learning to identify what they are and how to manage them. They will learn how to communicate their needs and feelings through every day scenarios and be encouraged to express themselves creatively. Our staff focus on developing a comprehensive understanding of the children through play, conversation, observation, and assessment. This enables us to deliver a curriculum that builds sensitively and effectively upon their individual starting points, strengths, interests, and learning styles.

Balanced Learning Approach; In our Early Years, we facilitate learning through a balance of child-initiated (play-based) and adult-led activities. Children are given ample opportunity for extended periods of uninterrupted play, allowing them to learn through exploration, discovery, rehearsal, and experimentation.

Thoughtful Environment Design; Great care is taken in setting up our indoor and outdoor learning environments to support not just what we want children to learn, but how they learn best. Resources are carefully chosen, and enhancements are planned to encourage collaboration, perseverance, and problem-solving while developing personal and social skills.

Adult-Led Sessions; Alongside play-based learning, we conduct adult-led sessions throughout the week to introduce new concepts, develop vocabulary, share stories, and celebrate achievements. These sessions are designed to be short, focused, and interactive, providing further opportunities for sustained shared thinking and collaborative work.

Parent Partnership; We recognise the importance of strong partnerships between staff and parents/carers. We welcome and value all contributions from home, using them to inform our decisions on how best to support each child.

Impact

Our approach, underpinned by the EYFS framework, is designed to promote the best outcomes for our children. We are committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment with strong, positive relationships that enhance all aspects of children's development. Regular assessments are conducted to monitor progress and ensure high levels of achievement for all children, regardless of ethnicity, gender, socio-economic background, or starting points.

 

Delivering our Curriculum

Manford Primary School is dedicated to delivering a comprehensive and interconnected curriculum as outlined in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework. This curriculum encompasses seven key areas of learning, each crucial for the holistic development of children. Here is a summary of how Manford Primary School supports each area:

Communication and Language

Manford Primary School fosters communication skills by creating a language-rich environment. Children are encouraged to engage in conversations, listen to stories, and participate in rhymes and songs. These activities are designed to enhance vocabulary and are foundations for early reading and writing skills.

Personal, Social, and Emotional Development

The school emphasises the development of positive relationships and self-awareness. Children learn to interact effectively, respect diverse views, and form constructive friendships. Positive feedback and role models help children build confidence and understand their emotions and those of others.

Physical Development

Both indoor and outdoor environments are utilised to develop children's fine and gross motor skills. Activities range from physical education to using playdough and construction equipment. The school supports children in gaining independence and self-care skills.

Literacy

The literacy curriculum at Manford Primary School aims to inspire a love for reading and writing. The curriculum includes sharing quality literature, teaching phonics and encouraging children to express their ideas through writing. Regular story times and phonics sessions help children develop strong reading and writing foundations.

Maths

Mathematical concepts are taught through engaging, practical activities that relate to real-life experiences. The curriculum includes counting, sorting, measuring, and recognising patterns, ensuring children develop a strong understanding of mathematical principles.

Understanding the World

The curriculum is designed to help children understand their environment and the wider world. Learning themes align with the Development Matters document and include exploring local and global cultures, historical figures, and environmental changes. Outdoor activities and local trips enhance this learning experience.

Expressive Arts and Design

Creative expression is encouraged through access to various resources and media. Children engage in imaginative play and are introduced to new artistic techniques. This area of learning supports vocabulary development and provides opportunities for self-expression.