EYFS intent
Through the Prime Areas, Sandown Early years grows independent, lifelong learners within a language rich environment.
Our Aims
At Sandown Primary School and Nursery our aim is to provide a secure environment where our children can feel safe to explore rich and diverse learning and developmental opportunities. In partnership with our families, we aim to build on previous learning and respond to children’s individual needs. We provide a sound basis for lifelong learning, enabling the children to begin the process of becoming independent, confident, active learners for life. We aim to provide teaching and learning experiences, indoors and outdoors, of the highest quality to help our children progress and be ready for their next stage of learning.
The Early Years Foundation Stage
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) applies to children from birth to the end of the Reception year. In our school, children can join the Early Years Foundation Stage from two years of age, starting in our Nursery Acorn group. Children who are 3 and 4 have the opportunity, when ready, to enter the Nursery Sapling group in preparation for starting school.
At Sandown we are committed to following the EYFS Framework; supporting our children to learn and develop in the seven inter-connected areas of learning:-
Prime areas:
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Physical development
- Communication and Language
At Sandown, we see the Prime Areas as being fundamental building blocks for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, forming relationships and thriving. We also support our children in four specific areas, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied.
Specific areas:
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts & Design
In each of these seven areas, there are Early Learning Goals (ELG’s) that define the expectations for most children to reach by the end of Reception.
The EYFS also includes the characteristics of effective teaching and learning. They highlight the importance of a child’s attitude to learning and their ability to play, explore and think critically about the world around them.
Characteristics of Effective Learning:
Playing and exploring
- Finding out and exploring
- Playing with what they know
- Being willing to ‘have a go’
Active learning
- Being involved and concentrating
- Keeping trying
- Enjoying achieving what they set out to do
Creating and thinking critically
- Having their own ideas
- Making links
- Choosing ways to do things
