EYFS
Overview
Our Early Years curriculum is carefully designed to provide children with a strong foundation for future learning, rooted in first-hand experiences, language development and nurture.
Learning is organised through a coherent sequence of projects:
- Let’s Explore and Build It Up (Autumn 1)
- Marvellous Machines and Puppets and Pop Ups (Autumn 2)
- Long Ago and Stories and Rhymes (Spring 1)
- Ready Steady Grow and Signs of Spring (Spring 2)
- Animal Safari and Creep, Crawl and Wriggle (Summer 1)
- On the Beach, Move It and Moving On (Summer 2)
Each project includes:
- A memorable experience to engage and inspire learning
- An innovate challenge to apply and deepen understanding
- Carefully planned opportunities across all areas of learning
Our curriculum prioritises:
- Language and communication development
- First-hand, experience-led learning
- Personal development and wellbeing
- Readiness for Key Stage 1
Communication and Language
Communication and language are at the heart of all projects.
Across units such as Let’s Explore, Marvellous Machines and Stories and Rhymes, children are supported to:
- Develop listening, attention and understanding
- Build vocabulary through meaningful contexts
- Speak confidently to express ideas and experiences
Language is developed through:
- Storytelling and discussion (e.g. Stories and Rhymes)
- Role play and imaginative exploration (e.g. Puppets and Pop Ups)
- Adult modelling and purposeful interaction
This ensures children develop the language needed to access all areas of learning.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Children’s wellbeing and sense of belonging are central across all units, particularly in Moving On, Let’s Explore and Build It Up.
Children learn to:
- Understand and manage their emotions (self-regulation)
- Develop independence (managing self)
- Build strong relationships with others
Through consistent routines and nurturing support, children:
- Gain confidence to take risks
- Learn to work collaboratively
- Develop resilience and independence
Physical Development
Physical development is embedded across units such as Build It Up, Move It and Creep, Crawl and Wriggle.
Children develop:
- Gross motor skills through outdoor play, climbing and movement
- Fine motor skills through practical activities and early writing
They learn to:
- Move with control and coordination
- Develop strength, balance and spatial awareness
- Use equipment safely and effectively
These experiences ensure children are physically prepared for Key Stage 1 learning.
Literacy
Literacy is taught through a structured, language-rich approach across all units, particularly Stories and Rhymes, Long Ago and On the Beach.
Children learn to:
- Develop a love of stories and texts
- Build early reading skills through phonics and comprehension
- Begin to write for a purpose
High-quality texts are central, including those linked to projects such as:
- Traditional tales and rhymes in Stories and Rhymes
- Narrative and non-fiction texts in Animal Safari and Creep, Crawl and Wriggle
Children are supported to become confident readers, writers and communicators.
Mathematics
Mathematics is taught progressively through Power Maths, carefully linked to each unit.
Across projects such as Build It Up, Puppets and Pop Ups and Signs of Spring, children develop:
- Number knowledge and numerical patterns
- Understanding of shape, space and measure
Learning is practical and hands-on, enabling children to:
- Explore number through real-life contexts
- Build confidence in counting, comparing and problem-solving
Understanding the World
Understanding the world is a key driver of the curriculum and is central to many projects.
Children explore:
- Past and present in Long Ago
- People, culture and communities across all units
- The natural world in Ready Steady Grow, Signs of Spring and Animal Safari
Learning is brought to life through:
- First-hand experiences (e.g. farming, minibeast hunts, seasonal change)
- Exploration of the environment
- Meaningful real-world contexts
This provides strong foundations for later learning in history, geography and science.
Expressive Arts and Design
Creativity is developed through units such as Puppets and Pop Ups, Creep, Crawl and Wriggle and On the Beach.
Children learn to:
- Create with a range of materials
- Use imagination to develop ideas
- Express themselves through art, music and role play
Opportunities include:
- Making puppets and performing (Puppets and Pop Ups)
- Creative responses to nature (Creep, Crawl and Wriggle)
- Music and movement activities
Children develop confidence in expressing themselves creatively.
Impact
By the end of the Early Years, children have developed:
- Strong communication and language skills
- Confidence, independence and positive relationships
- Secure foundations in reading, writing and mathematics
- Curiosity and understanding of the world around them
- Physical confidence and coordination
Children are:
- Ready to access the Key Stage 1 curriculum
- Able to learn independently and collaboratively
- Confident, curious and motivated learners
Most importantly, children leave with a strong sense of belonging, confidence and readiness to flourish.