Early years and foundation stage

Curriculum

Our curriculum is based on the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework educational programmes and ‘Development Matters’ guidance, along with children’s interests and developmental needs, and the context of our school. Our curriculum is designed to give children the foundational knowledge and understanding needed to prepare them for year 1 and beyond. This is taught mainly through our focus texts and continuous provision. Our whole school curriculum starts in Nursery and is deliberately sequenced and progressive through to year 6 covering all programmes of study in the national curriculum.

Select here to view our subject specific curriculum plans.

Language development

A key feature throughout our provision is developing children’s language and vocabulary. We do this through the stories we read, our interactions with children, and our language and communication rich environments (things to talk about and adults ready to talk). We provide lots of opportunities to develop children’s familiarity with stories, songs and rhymes throughout early years, from Nursery to Reception. Everything we do is designed to promote language development – our learning environments, the structure of our day, the way focus activities and interventions are organised, and the high quality training we provide for all our staff. As part of the DFE Educational Priority Area we have been working closely with our local authority to access support specifically in EYFS and speech, language and communication teaching.

Phonics and early reading

Reading is at the very heart of our curriculum. It is the focal point in all aspects of the children’s work; it is encouraged, developed and nurtured from the very first days of school. From the beginning of the children’s learning at Park View, they become immersed in reading with daily lessons centred around phonics with support from highly trained staff. We use the Ruth Miskin’s Read, Write, Inc scheme. Read Write Inc (RWI) is a phonics programme which helps all children, including those with SEND and EAL; to learn to read fluently and at speed so they can focus on developing their skills in comprehension, vocabulary, and spelling. The programme has supported us in enabling our children to leave the EYFS to be confident speakers and willing writers.

Our Reception classes follow the ‘Making a Strong Start’ document as we believe it is imperative to our children’s lives that they can not only read, but that they become readers. As such, we aim to start their reading journeys with a passion and enthusiasm for stories and books in nursery. Alongside building their confidence in de-coding and reading for themselves in reception. We hope to ignite a love of reading at this early stage in their lives, that they will carry with them forever. Books are sent home for families to share and develop a love of reading and learning – including phonetically matched texts to the child’s ability. Throughout the year we facilitate parental support sessions allowing parents to join in the fun of teaching phonics. Staff regularly send specific learning videos home to parents via the Ruth Miskin portal so they can support their children at home. Please see here for some videos available via Youtube.

Dental Health from an early age

Caring for your child’s teeth is one of many important responsibilities you have as a parent.  Below is someone downloadable information to give you some of the basic advice and information you might need about oral health in one concise leaflet. We hope that we can help you get your child of to the best possible start and achieve healthy teeth for life.