Our Early Years Vision

At Medstead CE Primary School, we greatly value the importance of the Early Years Foundation Stage in providing a secure foundation for future learning. Our Early Years vision has been developed in line with statutory guidance and reflects our commitment to ensuring that every child has a happy, positive and successful start to their school life. We aim to nurture confident, curious and independent learners who develop a lifelong love of learning.

We ensure that children learn and develop well in a safe, caring and inclusive environment where they feel valued and supported. Through a balance of adult-led and child-initiated learning, we promote children's readiness for the next stage of their education and provide them with the knowledge, skills and experiences that form the foundation for future success in school and beyond.

At Medstead CE Primary School, we fully embrace the four guiding principles that underpin the Early Years Foundation Stage:

• Every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.
• Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships with adults and their peers.
• Children learn and develop well in enabling environments, where teaching and support from adults respond to their individual interests and needs and help them to build their learning over time. Children benefit from a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and carers.
• Children develop and learn at different rates. The importance of learning and development is recognised through carefully planned experiences that support progress across all areas of learning and help every child achieve their potential.

The EYFS framework covers the education and care of all children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), ensuring that every child is included, supported and able to flourish.

As a Church of England school, our Early Years provision also reflects our Christian values of Trust, Courage, Hope and Resilience, helping children to develop kindness, respect and a sense of belonging within our school community.

The EYFS framework covers the education and care of all children in our Reception class, ensuring that every child is given the best possible start to their educational journey and is well prepared for Year 1 and beyond.

Areas of Learning in the EYFS

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum is organised into seven areas of learning and development, all of which are interconnected and equally important in supporting children's growth and development.

The curriculum is divided into three prime areas, which provide the foundations for learning, relationships and future success:

• Communication and Language – developing speaking, listening and understanding skills.
• Physical Development – building coordination, movement, strength and healthy habits.
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development – helping children develop confidence, resilience, self-awareness and positive relationships.

As children grow in confidence and experience, they are also supported in four specific areas of learning, which build upon and strengthen the prime areas while encouraging curiosity, creativity and a love of learning:

• Literacy – developing early reading, writing and communication skills.
• Mathematics – building understanding of number, pattern, shape and measure.
• Understanding the World – exploring people, places, technology and the natural world.
• Expressive Arts and Design – encouraging creativity, imagination and self-expression through art, music, dance, role play and design.

At Medstead CE Primary School, we provide a rich and engaging learning environment where children are encouraged to explore, investigate and learn through a balance of carefully planned activities and purposeful play. Our provision is supported by the Kapow Primary Curriculum, which provides engaging, foundational learning experiences that introduce children to the wider curriculum they will encounter in Year 1 and beyond. Through these experiences, children develop key knowledge, skills and vocabulary while making meaningful connections across their learning.

The themes, experiences and opportunities within our EYFS curriculum are carefully planned to support the seven areas of learning while reflecting children's interests and developmental needs. Through a combination of high-quality interactions, continuous provision and structured teaching, children develop the knowledge, skills and characteristics of effective learning that prepare them for a successful transition into Year 1 and beyond.

Rooted in our Christian values of Trust, Courage, Hope and Resilience, we aim to ensure that every child feels valued, develops a love of learning and flourishes both academically and personally during their first year at school.