#WeAre Growing

The Early Years Foundation Stage in New Silksworth Academy is where our love for learning begins.

Early Years Documentation

Where we grow...

At New Silksworth Academy, we have an Early Learners provision for 2 year olds, a large open plan Nursery provision for 3-4 year olds, and 3 Reception classrooms.

We aim to create environments that encourage the children to be curious and be motivated to learn. In Early Learners and Nursery leaders and staff have intentionally and purposefully designed our learning environment to act as a ‘third teacher’. When creating our provision, we have tried to create a sustainable environment, using natural and real-life materials, which provoke exploration. In Reception children also have access to natural and real-life materials and transition during the year into a more structured classroom learning environment. 

Resources in Early Years are chosen to be more open-ended and pupils should be able to access them when needed. In doing this, pupils are able to learn alongside peers of different abilities. Staff are able to support them to develop by first identifying their starting points and then scaffolding the next steps in their learning, making experiences very personalised. Pupils are also able to revisit learning regularly and master the key knowledge and skills they need to meet the Early Learning Goals and be ready for Key Stage 1.

How we grow...

The Early Years Foundation Stage

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework is supported by two non-statutory documents ‘Development Matters’ and ‘Birth to 5 Matters’ and is structured very differently to the national curriculum as it is organised across seven areas of learning rather than subject areas. 

The three Prime Areas are: Communication and Language, Physical Development and Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED). These areas are considered ‘prime’ areas because progress in one will help towards progress in all the others. The four additional Specific Areas of focus, enhanced by the three prime areas above, are; Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World and Expressive Arts and Design. The early years curriculum requires a core focus on these seven areas for learning and development in children under five and all areas are inter-connected in real terms.

Communication and Language development is key and is a ‘golden thread’ which runs through and underpins all other areas of learning, as does Personal, Social and Emotional Development. The statutory framework

How 'subjects' begin in EYFS...

Many of the skills developed across the seven areas of the EYFS are prerequisite skills for subjects within the national curriculum. The document below shows where learning in early years at New Silksworth Academy links to the NC programmes of study. 

#WeAre Language Rich - Communication and Language

Communication and Language, vocabulary and reading underpin all areas of the curriculum. Children experience a wide range of stories, rhymes and songs to help them develop their vocabulary and language is constantly modelled to children.

#WeAre Readers - Phonics / Literacy

When children are ready (completion of foundation for phonics) they begin phase 2 phonics and are given a book matched to ability to take home. School have chosen to follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised validated programme. Each lesson follows a cycle of review, teach, practice, apply allows children to do just that, developing long term memory and visual clues for vocabulary. As the pupils progress within the phases children will move onto written application of sounds, extending into words and sentences.  Pupils are then provided with numerous opportunities throughout the day, within the continuous provision to apply their skills in contexts relevant to them.  This has been really successful in motivating pupils to write and increasing writing opportunities across the curriculum.

Children are then given home reading books carefully matched to their phonic ability; this allows children to apply their learned phonics sounds. In addition to daily phonics, staff also follow the Little Wandle reading model, which means books read at home are also practiced in school as part of reading sessions with 3 discrete foci;

1. Decoding
2. Prosody
3. Comprehension

This is continued within into year 1 supporting continuity. To ensure that parents are supported with the introduction of phonics, upon entry to our foundation stage parents are provided with materials and workshops are run to stress the importance of basic skills. 

#WeAre Curious - Science / Understanding of the World

We provide engaging opportunities for Early Years children to learn about science and use the Primary Science Teach Trust approach; PLAY, OBSERVE, ASK this describes succinctly how practitioners in Early Years can effectively support and nurture young children learning about the world around them (that's science!).

#We Encourage Independent Exploration

Children are naturally curious and keen to explore the world around them with awe and wonder. We can make the most of their desire to learn in a hands-on way by making sure our provision is accessible and engaging. Valuing child-led learning in all areas and encouraging children to plan and take ownership of what they want to discover next, sets them up for success.

#We Develop Observation Skills

Throughout their time in EYFS, children will be expected to make careful observations, observe changes over time and notice patterns and changes. We provide lots of fun ways to help young children develop their observation skills and these will help them, not only in future science lessons, but potentially throughout their lives as well.

I see, I notice, I wonder… is an effective, and very easy strategy to develop young children’s observation and questioning skills. It can be done with any object and provides a simple format to enhance science talk. You can learn so much from observing what children say and do in response.

#We Use Stories

Stories tease the imagination and science feeds off our curiosity about the world. Stories can spark that imagination and curiosity, being the hook with which learners engage. Young children love stories! When you put a story together with playful, scientific enquiry, the result can be a really good combination of high interest, enjoyable, creative and engaging science. Using children’s interest in picture books and stories not only helps us develop their literacy skills but allows children to see the purpose and relevance to the science learning and put it into a meaningful context. At New Silksworth Academy we support scientific learning linked to popular storybooks. Children quickly become motivated within the story context and develop many scientific skills such as prediction, observation and communication.

#WeAre Collaborative

Supporting documents and information for parents

Transition to New Silksworth Academy

Prior to starting at New Silksworth Academy, staff will contact you. This valuable opportunity allows us to learn about our new pupils. Staff will get to know the children and any individual requirements.

Transition into school will then be staggered to ensure children are happy and settled and ready to begin their journey in Early Years.

Guidance for parents – how can you help prepare your child for early years?
– Talk to your child about starting early years and about how it is an exciting experience, something he or she will enjoy.
– Encourage your child to play with other children and share toys with them.
– Children should be able to attempt to put on items of clothing such as coats and shoes and be able to ask for support if needed
– Encourage him or her to tidy up after him/herself.
– Encourage your child to talk clearly about everyday experiences
– Look at books together, talking about the stories and pictures.
– Give your child opportunities for drawing his or her own pictures and if you do teach your child to write his or her own name, please do not use all capital letters.
– Involve your child in counting and sorting everyday things.
– Allow your child to practise cutting out using small scissors with rounded ends.
– Encourage your child to use basic cutlery and drink from a cup
– Where possible, children should walk to nursery and not be reliant upon pushchairs

Admissions

To view our admission policies click here 

Interested in finding out more?

If you would like to find out more about our curriculum. Please contact the school office and we will ask a member of staff to get back in touch to answer any questions.