The Early Years Foundation Stage

At Robert Arkenstall Primary School we are passionate about providing our children with the best possible start to their education. Within our nurturing environment all children are encouraged to see themselves as learners and to become independent, confident and articulate members of the school community.

Our reception classes follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum (EYFS). Underpinning the EYFS Curriculum are four themes. These are:

• Every child is unique
• Positive relationships are essential in enabling the children to become strong and independent learners
• Children learn best in enabling environments where every child is valued as an individual and there are strong partnerships between practitioners and parents and carers.
• Children learn and develop at different rates and in different ways. They foster the characteristics of effective early learning by; playing and exploring, active learning and creating and thinking critically.

For us in reception the EYFS Curriculum is a continuation of learning from pre-schools, nurseries, with child minders and at home. We work very closely with all settings to ensure there is a smooth transition into school and that we build upon the children’s achievements.