Foundation Stage
Our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Curriculum is designed to meet the needs of the youngest children in our school in our Nursery (FS1) and Reception (FS2) classes. Our curriculum is predominately child-led and play based, with the careful planning of guided and adult-led activities where appropriate. Indoor and outdoor play is encouraged throughout the day, in all weathers, with opportunities to develop knowledge and skills throughout each strand of learning.
At Linton Mead we recognise that children learn best through first-hand experiences. We use children’s interests as a starting point when planning the next steps in their learning and offer a curriculum where all children discover that learning is fun. Each learning area is set up so that the children feel at ease with choosing their own resources, and developing their own activities with peers, and this enables them to become motivated in their own learning. We use a system of child-led learning called ‘Planning in the Moment’ which is all about seizing the moment for children to progress. Based on what the children are already deeply involved in, our experienced practitioners use quality interactions to draw out the children’s knowledge and build on it there and then (in the moment).
Our curriculum is supported by high quality texts – both fiction and non – fiction - which change in response to the children’s interests. These books are chosen to provide a broad and balanced knowledge base on which the children can continue to explore and find out new things. The books are not set, but are chosen considering the needs, experiences and interests of the children and to facilitate an exciting and challenging learning environment. Some books will be selected that link to the whole school focus area for that term. Work relating to our texts will cover all areas of the curriculum.
As well as focus on the three prime areas of the EYFS (Communication and Language, Personal, Social and Emotional Development and Physical Development) Literacy and Maths are at the core of our teaching. We follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds revised programme in both Nursery (Phase 1) and Reception (Phase 2 onwards). Through our teaching great importance is placed on reading for pleasure as well as the skills needed to learn to read. We work closely with the whole school to ensure that links are planned between the learning in EYFS and the later key stages, ensuring where possible that children are exposed to key vocabulary and concepts they will later revisit in the National Curriculum.
Click on the links below to get further information relating to the EYFS curriculum, Phonics, and our Tapestry record-keeping system:
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN - a guide to your child’s learning and development in the Early Years Foundation Stage.
LITTLE WANDLE LETTERS AND SOUNDS REVISED SUPPORT - a complete Phonics resource to support children learn to read using the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds revised programme.
TAPESTRY INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND CARERS - Tapestry secure online learning journal helping staff and families celebrate their children’s learning and development.
SUGGESTED WEBSITES
Here are some suggested websites to support your child at home:
CBEEBIES and CBEEBIES RADIO are the home of fun and educational games for kids to play and learn at the same time. Full of free, fun games and activities for babies, toddlers and young children.
SMALL TALK For ideas for activities to get your child talking go to the ‘Small Talk’ website. It is full of ideas, tips and activities to encourage chatting, playing and reading from birth to 5.
OXFORD OWL For ideas for reading together at home.
HUNGRY LITTLE MINDS for great, simple, fun activities for children from newborn to five children.