Welcome to our Early Years and Reception Class:

Your teacher for Reception is Miss Myatt and classroom support includes Mrs Leith.

Click here for our Reception Blog

WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE EYFS

As outlined in the EYFS Statutory Framework

‘Every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to fulfil their potential. Children develop quickly in the early years and a child’s experiences between birth and age five have a major impact on their future life chances. A secure, safe and happy childhood is important in its own right. Good parenting and high quality early learning together provide the foundation children need to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow up.’

KEY PERSON

'Each child must be assigned a key person’

At Heap Bridge, we are lucky to have small class sizes and key adult roles. We understand the clear message from brain research based around connections and positive experiences. Warm and loving bonds between young children and adults are essential for children’s physical and emotional health as well as children needing to have secure attachments in order to communicate and thrive. Children are aware of their key person and close relationships are quickly established ensuring each child is valued and the child’s sense of identity and self-image is nurtured.

INTERACTIONS

‘Every interaction is based on caring and professional relationships and respectful acknowledgment of the feeling of the children and their families’

All adults within our EYFS observe and respond to individual children’s needs. We value every child and create an atmosphere of “every child matters”. Adults carefully involve themselves in children’s play to sensitively support and extend children’s vocabulary, thinking and learning. We promote independence and choice whilst enabling children to direct their own learning.

ENVIRONMENT

‘A rich and varied environment supports children’s learning and development. It gives them the confidence to explore and learn in a secure and safe, yet challenging, indoor and outdoor spaces.’

At Heap Bridge, we provide a vocabulary-rich, stimulating, carefully planned and well-resourced enabling environment both indoors and outdoors. As a team, we regularly reflect on the whole indoor and outdoor environment. We respond to the children’s needs and make changes to ensure our children are always excited and challenged, adapting to their key learning and interests.

LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT

‘All planning starts with observing children, in order to understand and consider their current interests, development and learning.’

At Heap Bridge, we support every child to make excellent progress. Initially, focussing on the Prime Areas of learning allows us to observe children closely and use this information to plan appropriately to meet individual children’s needs. Communication and language are at the heart of all learning and opportunities to develop this are carefully created. Objective-led planning allows staff to pin point next steps for individuals and groups of children.

PHONICS AND EARLY READING

‘It is crucial for children to develop a life-long love of reading. Reading consists of two dimensions: language comprehension and word reading.’

At Heap Bridge, we follow Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised. Reception lessons begin in week 2 to ensure the children make a strong start. Phonics is taught daily and there is a review session on a Friday. Children also participate in a group reading session three times a week, beginning with wordless books to really understand ‘book talk’ and learn new vocabulary. All children take home reading books that are matched to their phonic ability and also a ‘Bookflix’ book to be shared with a grown up.

ROUTINES

‘Schedules and routines should flow with the child’s needs.’

Having a routine helps to bring consistency and comfort to a child’s life, as well as providing a sense of normality. Our daily routine promotes learning and development, including uninterrupted times of play, daily phonics and maths learning and social snack times. We also work closely with our families to establish good routines at home to establish book sharing, teeth brushing and healthy sleeping habits.

PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS

‘Parents are children’s first and most enduring educators. When parents and practitioners work together in early years settings, the results have a positive impact on children’s development and learning.’

At Heap Bridge, parental relationships are established before the children start in September. We strive for all our families to feel valued and involved and we ensure a positive two-way sharing of information throughout their journey with us. Using Tapestry enables all families to feel part of their child’s learning and contribute to their overall learning journey. Regular opportunities to come into school are encouraged including; ‘Working Together, Learning Together’ days, Nativity performances, class assemblies and group workshops.

*PHOTOS OF WTLT DAYS AND PARENTS ATTEDNING NATIVITY ETC*

 

TRANSITIONS

'Children’s social, emotional and educational needs are central to any transition between one setting and another and within one setting. Involve parents at transition times, valuing what they say and encouraging them to stay with their child while they settle in. Effective communication between settings is key to ensuring that children’s needs are met and there is continuity in their learning.’

As an EYFS team we recognise sensitive transitions are imperative for the well-being of children. We consider transitions in their broadest of contexts, for example, home to school, nursery to reception, reception to year one, as well as the daily transitions. We understand for some children and parents it is an exciting enjoyable experience and for others it can be a worrying time, which is why we work in close partnership with our families and teachers to provide smooth transitions. At Heap Bridge, our transition to new classes is seamless as class teachers become familiar with Reception children when they first start school. Regular story sharing and the openness of our small setting mean all children learn who each staff member is within the first term of school.

 

LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

‘Professional relationships focus on respecting and valuing the strengths, skills and knowledge of the people you work with and recognising the contribution made by everyone in your setting.’

Our effective leadership and management ensures we meet the EYFS principles and welfare requirements. By laying a secure foundation for future learning, providing equality of opportunities, creating the framework for partnership working, and improving quality and consistency our EYFS team are constantly reflecting and looking to develop their own practice.

 

USEFUL LINKS: