EYFS
Early Years Foundation Stage
At Westcott Primary School, all teaching staff deliver an EYFS curriculum through immersion in high quality teaching alongside an enriched environment.
Our philosophy is to nurture every child’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, developing both skills and confidence as they take their first steps on their own unique journey of lifelong learning.
Early Adopter Curriculum 2020
At Westcott Primary School we follow the EYFS Early Adopter framework (2020). Within this framework there are four guiding principles which shape our practice.
These are:
- 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.
- Children learn and develop well in enabling environments with teaching and support from adults, who 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/or carers.
- Children develop and learn at different rates. The framework covers the education and care of all children in early years provision, including children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Our Learning Environment
Our learning environment in the EYFS has all been created using the influences of Hygge, a Danish style of living that promotes simplicity. The aim of our setting is to create a world of magic and wonder, a place to tinker and explore. A special place where we are filling the children’s hearts and minds with a sense of awe and wonder.
To create the feeling of Hygge, our setting is very neutral, creating a feeling of calm. Fairy lights and lamps are used to create a cosy atmosphere, particularly in the reading area. We have created somewhere where children can sit quietly; even if it is just to relax and have some wind down time. We have lots of natural resources to support their developing literacy and numeracy skills.
Outside, we have created a space that focuses very much on nature around us. We have a nature garden with insect houses; planted with flowers to attract wildlife. We have bird feeders to encourage birds to the area and a fully planted herb garden. The idea of children learning through play is a theory that we fully embrace. We have a lot of water play, a mud kitchen, a sand pit as well as opportunities to build using crates, planks, blocks and tyres.
We truly believe that being outdoors surrounded by nature provides countless opportunities for discovery, creativity and problem-solving. Studies have shown that playing in nature improves not only levels of physical activity and social/emotional development but also that nature play may deliver improvements in cognitive development as well as children’s levels of attention.
Parental Engagement
Parents are the first and most important influence on their child’s development and future outcomes.
Children have two main educators in their lives – their parents and their teachers. Therefore, the school and the parents all have crucial roles to play. The impact on a child’s education is greater if parents and schools work in partnership. At Westcott Primary School, parents are invited to be involved in every step of a child’s journey in education. Beginning with starting school meetings, followed up with home visits and invitations for your child to attend several ‘transition’ sessions before the Autumn term commences.
We use Classroom Dojo to communicate with parents. You can access Dojo via computer, tablet or download the free app to your mobile phone. We post class stories, school stories and individual photographs and comments about your child so you know how they’re getting on at school. Text, images and videos can be uploaded by parents to share learning and experiences. Every entry helps to create a complete story of a child’s time at school.
At Westcott Primary School we;
Tailor practice to the needs of the children – the child is at the centre of our practice. We have a clear vision of what we want to achieve for the children in our care, and these clear goals inform all areas of our practice.
Invest in skilled and experienced staff – that support children to reach their full potential.
Operate an open and reflective culture – our culture is driven by continuous improvement. We seek out other settings and professionals to learn from, share and reflect practice. We recognise the knowledge and expertise of our own staff and value open discussion and staff consultation; and embedded within our school is a culture of self-evaluation as a means of driving continuous improvement.