Saviour CofE Primary School

EYFS

Here at Saviour, we recognise the importance of a child’s first years in education and how instrumental they are in shaping long-term attitudes to learning and school. We believe every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to reach their full potential.

Four guiding principles inform the practice here at Saviour C.E. Primary School:

• Every child is unique, 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 practitioners and parents and/or carers.
• Children develop and learn in different ways, 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.
  
  
  

Areas of Learning & Development

All areas of learning and development in early years are important and interconnected. Three areas are particularly crucial for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive:

• Communication and language: Children are given opportunities to experience a rich language environment; develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves; and to speak and listen in a range of situations. 

• Physical development: Children are able to be active and interactive. They are given the opportunities to develop their coordination, control and movement. Children also gain an understanding of the importance of physical activity and how to make healthy eating choices.

• Personal, social and emotional development: Involves helping children develop a positive sense of themselves and others; form positive relationships and respect for others; cultivate social skills and learn how to manage feelings; understand appropriate behaviour in groups; and gain confidence in their own abilities.

We also support children in the four specific areas, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied:

• Literacy: Children are encouraged to link sounds and letters and to begin to read and write. Children are given access to a wide range of reading materials, including books, poems, and other written content, to ignite their interest.
• Mathematics: Children receive support to improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers; calculate simple addition and subtraction problems; and describe shapes, spaces and measures.
• Understanding the world: Children are guided to make sense of their physical world and community through exploring, observing, and finding out about people, place, technology and the environment.
• Expressive arts and design: Children are given opportunities to explore and play with a variety of media and materials. They are encouraged to share thoughts, idea and feelings through a range of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role play, and design and technology.