In EYFS at we are dedicated to giving each child the best start to their education. At Ryecroft we provide learning environments which develop each child’s confidence as an explorative, motivated and independent learner, all within a safe and caring, yet challenging, vibrant and enriched setting.

The learning environments both indoors and outdoors support children, allowing them to grow in confidence, to feel happy, respected, safe and a valued member of the school community. Our approach to learning is a child centred aiming support each child to develop holistically and at a pace suitable to them and their needs.

We encourage the children to be risk takers and set ambitious goals that they want to achieve, support them to believe they can do it and then celebrate their success. This is achieved by providing an enabling environment, promoting communication and language skills, whilst ensuring that learning is engaging and enjoyable. Adults in the setting support and encourage all our young learners to achieve and challenge themselves, modelling good language and communication skills.

Our Early Year’s Foundation Stage follows the EYFS statutory framework, a curriculum developed for children aged 5 years and under.

The curriculum is split into two sections, prime and specific.

There are 3 prime areas of learning;

· Communication and Language

· Physical Development

· Personal, Social and Emotional Development ]

There are 4 specific areas of learning;

· Literacy

· Mathematics

· Understanding of the World

· Expressive Arts and Design

The learning within EYFS happens through bespoke teaching inputs, and provision. It happens through investigation, exploring and immersive, hands-on experiences within a play-based curriculum. The children are supported to make positive progress during their time in EYFS, as we ensure that there is a good balance of direct teaching and child-led play in a purposeful high quality environment which supports and extends their learning. Our EYFS team are dedicated to scaffold the children’s development to be the best that they can be. Our plan for learning is based on the children’s own interests and needs. We have high expectations of all children and set challenging but achievable goals and always encourage them to try their best. They are provided with many, varied opportunities and we nurture their confidence so that they can all make positive steps towards achieving their potential.

There are several websites that we recommend for you to access to support your child’s learning at home:

• Phonics Play – On Phonics Play your child can play phonics games.
• Cosmic Kids Yoga – Fun yoga sessions for children linked to stories
• Numberblocks – Children can watch episodes of numberblocks and play numberblocks games on the website.
• Teach your monster to read app – A great app to support your child to learn phonics
• Topmarks – Children can access fun educational games