EYFS

INTENT

At Crackley Bank, we want every child in Nursery and Reception to feel safe, valued and excited to learn. Our Early Years curriculum builds on what children already know and can do, while giving them the knowledge, language and experiences they need to succeed in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), Key Stage 1 and beyond.

Children join us with different strengths, experiences and starting points. We get to know each child and their family so that we can provide the right support and challenge, including for children with SEND and those who may face barriers to learning. Warm relationships, clear routines and high expectations help children develop confidence, independence and a sense of belonging.

We pay particular attention to communication and language, personal, social and emotional development, and physical development. These foundations help children express their ideas, listen to others, build friendships, manage their feelings and take part fully in learning. Our curriculum then develops children’s knowledge and skills across all seven areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Reading and language are at the heart of our curriculum. Children enjoy carefully chosen books, stories, rhymes and conversations that broaden their vocabulary and help them understand themselves and the wider world. Daily phonics teaching helps them develop the knowledge they need to begin reading and writing with confidence.

In mathematics, children learn to count, understand quantities, recognise patterns and explore shape, space and measure. Through direct teaching, practical activities and play, they revisit important ideas and develop a secure understanding of number, ready for the next stage in their learning.

We enable children to develop their understanding of the world through outdoor learning, exploring seasonal changes, welcoming visitors, taking part in visits and engaging in first-hand experiences. They learn to notice, ask questions and make connections between new ideas and what they already know. Art, music, stories, imaginative play and making also give children ways to express their ideas and develop their creativity.

Children learn through a thoughtful balance of teaching, purposeful play and conversations with knowledgeable adults. Staff observe what children know and can do, then use this understanding to plan what they need to learn next. We encourage children to explore, persevere and think creatively as they grow in confidence.

By the end of Reception, we want children to be curious, capable learners with secure foundations in language, reading, writing, mathematics and personal development. Our curriculum reflects our school ethos, Care + Belief + Pride = Success, and gives every child the opportunity to flourish.

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