Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
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Castletown Foundation Stage gives every child a child focussed, secure and happy learning environment. At Castletown we respect and value every child, carer and parent and work together to help our school family recognise and realise their full potential. We strive to keep the child and their family at the heart of everything we do.
We use the EYFS framework to plan an exciting and relevant curriculum but also closely follow children’s interests to enhance their learning and encourage motivation and engagement.
Our continuous provision is regularly adapted and enhanced to promote any interests the children initiate and foster a deeper understanding of the knowledge and skills they acquire.
At Castletown we are committed to providing a high quality teaching environment which is meaningful, effective and successful.
Learning takes place indoors and outdoors every day. Through active learning outside the children explore the environment allowing them to develop their self-esteem, independence and self-confidence. We are delighted and look forward to exciting new opportunities to extend and enhance our outdoor provision in the summer term. Our pupils join our school at nursery level and play an integral part within our EYFS setting. There are many opportunities for our pupils to explore and discover and take advantage of the many learning opportunities that exist all around them.
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Curriculum
The EYFS framework explains how and what children in our EYFS will be learning to support their development. At the end of Reception (the Foundation Stage) each child will be assessed against 17 key areas called The Early Learning Goals this is known as The Early Years Foundation Stage Profile. For each Early Learning Goal practitioners must judge whether a child meets the goal or or does not meet the goal and remains emerging in that area. The completed EYFS Profile also includes a short commentary on the three characteristics of effective learning. This will support future curriculum planning and will provide the year 1 teachers with important information about each child’s approach to learning
Early years teaching and learning concentrates on seven areas split between prime and specific areas of learning. As every child is unique and develops at their own rate the early learning goals are not used as check lists, but as a tool to enable the teacher to make a best fit judgement as to whether they have achieved the expected level of development.
Prime Areas
- Communication and Language
- Physical Development
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
These prime areas are essential for children’s development and future learning. As children grow the prime areas will help them to develop skills in the four specific areas.
Specific Areas
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts and Design
We strongly believe that EYFS is a vital stage in the development of the whole child and therefore we ensure we give every child the best start we possibly can. We firmly believe that our pupils should be exposed to challenges and risks, controlled within a safe environment, that enables them to grow both physically and intellectually, preparing them for the wider world outside of school.
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Click here to view the Castletown Foundation Stage Information Brochure
Further information can be viewed by clicking on the links below:
EYFS Curriculum Links
Development Matters:
Click here to view the Development Matters document
Birth to Five Matters:
https://birthto5matters.org.uk/
EYFS statutory Framework:
Click here to view the EYFS Statutory Framework
Safeguarding in EYFS: The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory guidance has specific safeguarding and welfare requirements and steps that providers must take to keep children safe and promote their welfare.
Early years providers should pay particular attention to Section 3 in the guidance. This mentions that providers must have and implement a policy, and procedures, to safeguard children.
Starting School