Early Years Curriculum in the EYFS Unit


In the Early Years Foundation Stage children learn best when they experience learning first hand, through meaningful interactions with others, through physical activity and through play. Our Early Years practice is based on on-going observation and assessment of the children and their interests. The children have independent access to a stimulating curriculum both indoors and outdoors on a daily basis. The outdoor environment includes access to a forest area which helps to further enhance the children's learning through exploring and gaining new learning experiences engaging with the outdoor environment whatever the weather. All seven main areas of learning are incorporated into the outdoor curriculum and planning is cross curricular across all areas. Free-flow activities are planned on a daily basis with the whole team to include opportunities for extension; child requested activities and further planned adult led activities.

We believe that the prime areas of learning are the base stone for all future learning and therefore place a lot of emphasis on ensuring that all children feel, happy, secure and settled into the school environment. During the first term, we begin the child’s first experience of nursery or Reception by focusing the topic around them and their locality; enabling them to engage in a subject they know the most about. We want all children to become confident, active and independent learners, enabling them to build on their education with the skills that they need to continue their journey of learning.

PRIME AREAS OF LEARNING

  • Personal, social and emotional development
  • Communication and language development
  • Physical development

SPECIFIC AREAS OF LEARNING

  • Literacy
  • Mathematics
  • Understanding the world
  • Expressive arts and design

CHARACTERISTICS OF LEARNING

  • Playing and exploring
  • Active learning
  • Creating and thinking critically

Our Early Years principles are based on EYFS statutory guidance and the four overarching principles of good practice:

  • Every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.
  • Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships.
  • Children learn and develop well in enabling environments, in which their experiences respond to their individual needs and there is a strong partnership between school and home.
  • Children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates. The framework covers the education and care of all children in early years provision, including children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Public Health Key Schemes

For parents; smoking, alcohol, diet

Better Health - NHS (www.nhs.uk) - Healthy changes start with little changes. Whether you want to lose weight, get active or quit smoking, Better Health is here with lots of free tools and support. You can also find simple ways to lift your mood with Every Mind Matters.

One You Kent | Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (kentcht.nhs.uk) - Whether you want to lose weight, get active, quit smoking, or just feel better about life One You Kent is here to support YOU.

Oral health

Oral health promotion resources | Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (kentcht.nhs.uk) – Here you will find some oral health promotion resources that are useful for parents, adults with special needs and their carers, and professionals.

Dental services - NHS (www.nhs.uk) – Information about NHS dental services, how to find an NHS dentist and how much treatment costs.

Continence

Home - ERIC - Find out how you can keep your child's bowel and bladder working properly from birth. Clinically approved information and resources to help you and your child.

Immunisations

Immunisation Team | Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (kentcht.nhs.uk) - The NHS has a guide to help you understand the vaccines offered in the UK and when to have them. It also explains how they work and why they're safe and important.

Sleep

Sleep hygiene in children and young people | Great Ormond Street Hospital (gosh.nhs.uk) – Here you will find an information sheet from Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) explaining about sleep hygiene. Having good sleep hygiene can help your child both to settle to sleep and to stay asleep.

Sleep problems in young children - NHS (www.nhs.uk) - Lots of young children find it difficult to settle down to sleep and will wake up during the night. For some people, this might not be a problem. But if you or your child are suffering from a lack of sleep, there are some simple techniques you can try.


More Information about the Early Years Foundation Stage is available through the link below:

Development Matters - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Changes to the early years foundation stage (EYFS) framework - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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