EYFS Curriculum & Guidance

Nursery & Reception

'Tell me and I forget; Teach me and I may remember; involve me and I learn'

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We believe that our children learn best through an inquisitive and explorative approach,
they learn through playing; through play they can challenge themselves and others, problem solve and work
cooperatively and collaboratively. We see play as fundamental to their communication skills, their self-regulation
skills as well as their ability to develop an inquiring mind, to express themselves, to imagine, laugh and have fun.

At Colham Manor, our planning has a sharp focus on the children’s needs, interests and stages of learning. We
recognise that the seven areas of learning cannot be delivered in isolation and seek opportunities to make links
between them with the support of our whole school Dimensions ‘Learning Means the World’ curriculum - which is
underpinned by the four highly relevant world issues, known as the four C’s - Communication, Conflict,
Conservation, Culture.  

Learning Means the World is our whole school curriculum however although we all explore the same world issues at the same time, we also all explore different theme's that are more closely linked to the interests and needs of children at their different stages of development.  In the Early Years, Nursery & Reception are called Explorers 1 & 2. As the children move up the school, they will become Pathfinders, Adventurers & Navigators. 

The Early Years Foundation Stage makes a crucial contribution to children’s early development and learning. We provide children with a rich variety of teaching and learning experiences that are appropriate to their needs. The Foundation Stage is about developing key learning skills such as listening, speaking, concentrating, persistence and learning to work and co-operate with others.

There are seven areas of learning and development in the Foundation Stage; they are all important and interconnected.

There are three prime areas:

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Communication & Language

Physical Development

There are four specific areas:

Literacy

Mathematics

Understanding the World

Expressive Arts and Design

We also use The Literacy Tree to delivery our Literacy sessions, Read, Write Inc to deliver phonics and White Rose Maths to deliver Mathematics. 

Early Learning Goals

The teaching to achieve these early learning goals will be through first-hand experience and structured play. The areas of experience will be linked to the National Curriculum. The early years team keep records on children’s experiences and attainments with assessments of development and learning needs throughout the school year. We encourage children towards reading, communication and mathematical skills from the very beginning. Much of this earlier learning is achieved through carefully structured play.

Please click the PDF links below to learn more about the Early Learning Goals.

Outdoor Learning

The outdoor environment is also a very special part of the Foundation Stage curriculum. As such it is carefully planned for and available each day.The Early Years children have access to learning outdoors every day, no matter the weather so please provide wet play suits and welly boots! All of our children have Forest School experiences each half term and our Reception children enjoy a trip to Forest Schools in the local area. 

Working together in an outdoor natural environment helps children to…

•    create bonds and build friendships
•    become aware of how to care for one another and support each other
•    improve their social skills  
•    develop an understanding and a respect for our natural world

Please click the PDF links below to learn more about our Early Years Curriculum, including the governments latest Early Years Foundation Stage Handbook.