Delabole Primary School

EYFS

"Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning."

                                                                                                                                                                   Fred Rogers

Early Years Foundation Stage at Delabole School

At Delabole School, we believe that every child deserves the very best start to their education. Our Early Years Foundation Stage provides a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment where children feel valued, confident and ready to learn.

We recognise that every child is unique and arrives with different experiences, interests and strengths. Through a balance of carefully planned teaching, purposeful play and child-initiated exploration, we support children to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to flourish both academically and personally.

Our curriculum is built around the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and is designed to promote learning across the seven areas of development. We place particular emphasis on developing communication and language, early reading, vocabulary, personal development and a lifelong love of learning.

Through meaningful experiences, quality interactions and high expectations, children are encouraged to become curious, resilient and independent learners. We value the importance of outdoor learning, creativity, exploration and first-hand experiences in helping children make sense of the world around them.

Above all, we aim to create happy, confident children who feel a strong sense of belonging within our school community and are well prepared for the next stage of their education.

Our Curriculum

Learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage is organised around seven areas of learning and development:

Prime Areas

  • Communication and Language
  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development
  • Physical Development

Specific Areas

  • Literacy
  • Mathematics
  • Understanding the World
  • Expressive Arts and Design


These areas are carefully woven together through high-quality interactions, direct teaching, play-based learning and opportunities for exploration and discovery.

Aims

Through our Early Years curriculum, we aim for all children to:

  • Develop confidence, independence and resilience as learners.
  • Build strong foundations in communication, language and vocabulary.
  • Develop a love of stories, reading and early literacy.
  • Gain the mathematical understanding needed for future learning.
  • Foster curiosity, creativity and a desire to explore and investigate.
  • Learn how to build positive relationships and work collaboratively with others.
  • Develop physical strength, coordination and independence.
  • Understand and celebrate the diversity of the communities in which they live.
  • Develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for a successful transition into Key Stage 1.

Working in Partnership with Families

"Children don't need more things. The best toy a child can have is a parent who gets down on the floor and plays with them."
                                                                                                                                                      Dr Bruce Perry

We know that children learn best when parents and school work together. Building strong relationships with families is at the heart of everything we do in EYFS.

We value parents and carers as children's first educators and work closely together to celebrate achievements, share learning and support each child's development. Through regular communication, learning updates, parent consultations and opportunities to engage with school life, we aim to create a strong partnership that helps every child thrive.

A Nurturing Start

Our experienced Early Years team is committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive and supportive environment where every child feels safe, valued and successful.

We understand that children develop at different rates and may require different levels of support. Through close observation, adaptive teaching and collaboration with families and external professionals where appropriate, we ensure that every child is given the opportunity to achieve their potential.

As children grow in confidence and independence, we encourage them to take ownership of their learning, celebrate their achievements and develop the skills they need to become lifelong learners.