Reception - EYFS* (Early Years Foundation Stage)
Early Years Foundation Stage at Capel Manor
At Capel Manor, our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is dedicated to creating an enabling environment that fosters the love of learning and development of every child in our care. Our mission is to equip children with the knowledge, skills, and life-long learning abilities they need to thrive.
Our Curriculum
Our EYFS curriculum is thoughtfully designed to provide a balanced approach to learning. It includes a mix of structured, adult-led sessions and carefully curated ‘explore and learn provision’. This allows children to explore, investigate, and apply their learning in both indoor and outdoor settings. We believe that hands-on experiences are essential for developing confident, independent learners.
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Vocabulary and Oracy-Centered Approach
In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), adopting a vocabulary and oracy-centered approach is essential for fostering language development in young children. This method allows for the introduction of new vocabulary in various contexts, making it more relatable and memorable. By engaging in meaningful talk and interaction with both adults and peers, children become active participants in their learning journey, leading to improved understanding and retention of new words.
- Enhancing Learning Through Interaction - The emphasis on oracy provides children with ample opportunities to use new vocabulary in spoken language. This practice not only boosts their confidence but also enhances their fluency. When children are encouraged to express themselves verbally, they develop a stronger command of language, which is foundational for their overall communication skills.
- The ShREC Approach (EEF strategy) - One effective strategy we implement is the ShREC approach, which stands for Share, Respond, Extend, and Challenge. This method encourages rich, back-and-forth conversations between staff and children. By focusing on commenting more and questioning less, educators create an environment where children feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and ideas. This approach fosters strong spoken language skills and cultivates a rich vocabulary, both of which are crucial for developing reading and writing abilities.
- Building a Strong Foundation - Incorporating a vocabulary and oracy-centered approach in EYFS not only enriches children's language skills but also lays a solid foundation for their future academic success. As they engage in conversations and explore new words, they become more adept at communicating their thoughts and feelings, setting the stage for lifelong learning.
A Supportive Environment
We understand that for children to flourish, they must feel safe, supported, and nurtured. Our dedicated EYFS team is committed to ensuring that every child feels valued and secure throughout their time with us. Each staff member possesses a deep understanding of the EYFS curriculum and is trained to support children effectively, fostering an atmosphere of encouragement and growth.
Our Goals
Our ultimate aim is for children to leave the Reception as resilient, independent, and reflective learners. We provide a variety of experiences that promote collaboration and teamwork, helping children learn to work together and become responsible, respectful members of our EYFS community. At Capel Manor, we are passionate about laying a strong foundation for our children’s future, ensuring they are well-prepared for the next steps in their educational journey.
Our Aims as an EYFS Team
At Capel Manor, our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) team is dedicated to fostering an enriching and supportive environment for every child. Our aims are centered around creating a foundation for lifelong learning and personal growth. Here’s how we strive to achieve this:
- Stimulating Learning Environment
We are committed to creating a dynamic learning atmosphere that encourages children to take risks and explore new experiences. By fostering confidence, we empower each child to reach their full potential. - Broad and Balanced Education
Our goal is to provide every child with a high-quality education that is both broad and balanced. We focus on helping children discover their unique strengths and talents, ensuring that their individual needs are met. - Safe and Caring Community
We prioritise the creation of a safe, nurturing, and joyful community where every child feels secure and supported. Our environment is designed to promote happiness and well-being, allowing children to thrive. - Respect for Each Other and the Environment
We encourage children to develop respect for themselves, their peers, and the world around them. This foundational value helps cultivate a sense of responsibility and care for the environment. - Reflective and Resilient Learners
Our aim is to nurture reflective, resourceful, resilient, confident, and independent learners. We provide opportunities for children to think critically and learn from their experiences, preparing them for future challenges. - Strong Family Relationships
Building strong relationships with families is essential to our approach. We strive to create an open and welcoming school environment where parents and caregivers feel valued and involved in their child’s education.
Through these aims, our EYFS team at Capel Manor is committed to laying a strong foundation for each child’s future, fostering a love for learning and a sense of community that will last a lifetime.
Children follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum, which includes:
The prime areas of learning:
- Communication and language
- Physical development
- Personal, social, and emotional development
The specific areas of learning:
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding of the World
- Expressive arts and design
Our Adventures inspired by the curriculum
Our Early Years Curriculum is made unique by carefully planned adventures that inspire and engage children during the time that they are with us. Adventures are driven by specially selected high-quality key texts that our children and staff love.
Enriching the Curriculum in EYFS
At Capel Manor, we believe that enriching our curriculum is essential for providing our children with a well-rounded educational experience. We strive to enhance learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) by incorporating a variety of engaging and meaningful experiences.
Collaboration with Subject Leaders
We work closely with all subject leaders to ensure that our curriculum is of the highest quality, broad, and balanced. Our subject leaders provide invaluable advice and support to help nurture the individual strengths of each child. This collaboration ensures that our learning experiences are not only enjoyable but also educationally enriching.
* EYFS - Early Years Foundation Stage - sets standards for the learning, development and care of children from birth to the age of 5. In Capel Manor Primary children in EYFS belong to Reception classes.
