Early Years Principles
There are four main principles in the EYFS.
- Every child is unique
- Children learn to be independent through positive relationships
- Children learn and develop well in enabling environments
- Children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates
The EYFS is split into seven areas of learning and development.
- Three prime areas: Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Physical Development, Communication and Language.
- Four specific areas: Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, Expressive Arts and Design.
Lyonsdown staff recognise that the Characteristics of Effective Learning underpin all seven areas of learning, these are:
- Playing and Exploring – finding out and being willing to have a go.
- Active Learning – being an active learner, getting involved, concentrating and keep trying.
- Creating and Thinking Critically- having their own ideas and choosing ways to do things.
Throughout the Early Years Foundation Stage, the girls will work towards achieving the 17 Early Learning Goals. Please see the areas of learning to find out more about these goals.
Teaching and Learning in our Early Years
The Lyonsdown approach to the EYFS supports ‘purposeful play’, encouraging independence, exploration and creativity. The learning environment is flexible, in response to the girl’s changing interests and abilities. Emphasis is placed on adults in the environment listening to and talking to each child as they play, in order to strengthen their skills in communication, language, social awareness, critical thinking and fine and gross motor development.
Reading and writing are introduced through Phonics. Sounds are learned with a multi-sensory approach using body movement, ears, eyes and speech to help memory. Number work is approached in a similar fashion with songs, rhymes and games.
Each girl is treated as an individual. We believe if a child is happy, content and given the opportunity to develop their skills, then they will flourish within their environment.
Parental Partnership
A strong partnership with parents/carers is of paramount importance. We aim to establish and maintain effective links between the EYFS staff and home in order to provide appropriate support of each girl’s learning and development. We want parents/carers to feel welcome, relaxed and involved in the EYFS and aim to achieve this by:
- A robust settling in process in which parents and their daughters meet the key worker/class teacher and are given the opportunity to see their new classroom and meet their peers.
- Encouraging continual dialogue between parents/carers and staff.
- Sharing each girl’s individual learning through the online journal Tapestry.
- Providing good quality information about all aspects of the EYFS classes, practice and policies. This is published on our website and given to parents when they join the school.
- Providing opportunities for parents/carers to learn about the EYFS curriculum through Termly Welcome Meetings and literature sent home.
- Class teachers being available for informal consultations at the start and end of each day by appointment.
- Parents are offered the opportunity for formal consultations in the Autumn and Spring Term.
- Written reports are sent home at the end of the Autumn and Summer Term.
- Summer Term reports for Reception will inform parents about their daughter’s achievement with regards to the Early Learning Goals. This information is also passed on to the Year 1 teacher as part of our transition process.
Most importantly, we want you and your daughter to enjoy our school as much as we do and become part of the Lyonsdown family.
Key Documents
For more detailed information on our curriculum please see our below guides:
