Early Years
At Thomas Whitehead CE Academy we are early adopters of the revised EYFS framework, 2020-21
The Foundation Stage (Pre-School, Nursery and Reception) is based on the principle that early years’ provision should offer a sound foundation for future learning through a developmentally appropriate curriculum.
The Foundation Stage places great emphasis on children learning by doing. Young children will be given more opportunities to gain first hand experiences through play and active involvement rather than by completing exercises in books.
Throughout the Foundation Stage the children play, make friends, develop and learn. They have great fun, exploring and creating, indoors and outside. They gain independence and confidence and their natural curiosity is encouraged at all times.
Under The Early Years Foundation Stage (Exemption from Learning and Development Requirements) and Childcare (Exemption from Registration) (Amendment) Regulations 2020, the Secretary of State for Education grants exemption from the following sections of the 2017 Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework:
a) The educational programmes under EYFS paragraph 1.5; and
b) The early learning goals set out on pages 10 to 12 of the EYFS; and
c) The requirements set out in paragraph 2.6 to 2.11 of the EYFS relating to Assessments and moderation at the end of the reception year – the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile – which requires settings to complete the Profile and submit the same to the local authority.
Thomas Whitehead CE Academy will instead follow in full the EYFS reforms early adopter framework:(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-adopter-schools-eyfs-framework).
Early Years education focuses on seven areas of learning.
The prime areas of learning are...
CL communication and language
PD physical development
PSED personal social and emotional development
The specific areas of learning are...
L literacy
M mathematics
EAD expressive arts and design
UW understanding the world
There are 4 key principles that underpin our practice in the Reception Classes at Thomas Whitehead CE Academy.
A Unique Child We recognise that all children are different. We identify and celebrate their strengths and support their areas for development.
Positive Relationships Our pupils interact well with each other and with the adults in the school. We encourage parents to be involved with their child's education.
Enabling Environments Our indoor and outdoor areas encourage exploration, investigation and independent learning. Our displays and resources are well maintained and reflect current learning.
Learning and Development Pupils achieve well and make good progress from their starting points. Learning is playful, practical and purposeful and builds upon prior attainment. Our children enjoy coming to school
The Foundation Stage (Pre-School, Nursery and Reception) is based on the principle that early years’ provision should offer a sound foundation for future learning through a developmentally appropriate curriculum.
The Foundation Stage places great emphasis on children learning by doing. Young children will be given more opportunities to gain first hand experiences through play and active involvement rather than by completing exercises in books.
Throughout the Foundation Stage the children play, make friends, develop and learn. They have great fun, exploring and creating, indoors and outside. They gain independence and confidence and their natural curiosity is encouraged at all times.
Under The Early Years Foundation Stage (Exemption from Learning and Development Requirements) and Childcare (Exemption from Registration) (Amendment) Regulations 2020, the Secretary of State for Education grants exemption from the following sections of the 2017 Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework:
a) The educational programmes under EYFS paragraph 1.5; and
b) The early learning goals set out on pages 10 to 12 of the EYFS; and
c) The requirements set out in paragraph 2.6 to 2.11 of the EYFS relating to Assessments and moderation at the end of the reception year – the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile – which requires settings to complete the Profile and submit the same to the local authority.
Thomas Whitehead CE Academy will instead follow in full the EYFS reforms early adopter framework:(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-adopter-schools-eyfs-framework).
Early Years education focuses on seven areas of learning.
The prime areas of learning are...
CL communication and language
PD physical development
PSED personal social and emotional development
The specific areas of learning are...
L literacy
M mathematics
EAD expressive arts and design
UW understanding the world
There are 4 key principles that underpin our practice in the Reception Classes at Thomas Whitehead CE Academy.
A Unique Child We recognise that all children are different. We identify and celebrate their strengths and support their areas for development.
Positive Relationships Our pupils interact well with each other and with the adults in the school. We encourage parents to be involved with their child's education.
Enabling Environments Our indoor and outdoor areas encourage exploration, investigation and independent learning. Our displays and resources are well maintained and reflect current learning.
Learning and Development Pupils achieve well and make good progress from their starting points. Learning is playful, practical and purposeful and builds upon prior attainment. Our children enjoy coming to school
| EYFS early adopter framework |
Phonics
We use the ‘Letter and Sounds’ programme to teach phonics whilst also drawing on a variety of other resources from other schemes such as ‘Phonics Play’ and ‘Jolly Phonics’. It aims to build children's speaking and listening skills in their own right as well as to prepare children for learning to read by developing their phonic knowledge and skills.
We use the ‘Letter and Sounds’ programme to teach phonics whilst also drawing on a variety of other resources from other schemes such as ‘Phonics Play’ and ‘Jolly Phonics’. It aims to build children's speaking and listening skills in their own right as well as to prepare children for learning to read by developing their phonic knowledge and skills.
- Pre-school teaches Phase 1 phonics for 10-15 minutes, every day, to all pupils through active and engaging activities and songs.
- Nursery teaches Phase 1 and 2 phonics for 20 minutes a day, on alternate weeks, to all pupils. This consists of interactive and engaging activities to support the children’s developing basic phonic knowledge.
- Reception teaches Phase 3 and 4 phonics for 20 minutes daily, to all pupils. Active and engaging activities are used to support the student’s developing phonics knowledge. By the end of Reception, we aim to ensure that all our children are secure in their Phase 2, 3 and 4 phonetic knowledge. As a result, identified children also participate in phonic interventions to support their individual needs and to meet this target.
