EYFS (Reception)

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Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) at Whitley Village School

Welcome to Our Reception Class

At Whitley Village School, our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides children with a happy, nurturing and inspiring start to their school journey. We understand that every child is unique, and we work closely with families to ensure that each child feels safe, valued and excited about learning from their very first day with us.

Our Reception class offers a caring, family atmosphere where children quickly develop confidence, independence and a love of learning. As highlighted in our most recent Ofsted inspection, children thrive within our nurturing environment from the moment they begin school. Inspectors noted that pupils feel a strong sense of belonging and are part of a caring family where adults know them well and always have their best interests at heart. Our Early Years provision was judged Outstanding by Ofsted in September 2024.

Our Vision

We believe that children learn best when they are happy, engaged and challenged. Our Reception curriculum is carefully designed to provide a balance of purposeful play, practical experiences and adult-led learning that prepares children for future success.

Through meaningful experiences, exploration and discovery, we encourage children to:

• Develop confidence and independence

• Build positive relationships

• Become resilient and curious learners

• Develop strong communication and language skills

• Foster creativity and imagination

• Develop a lifelong love of reading and learning

The EYFS Curriculum

Our curriculum follows the statutory Early Years Foundation Stage Framework, which sets standards for the learning, development and care of children from birth to five years.

The framework is built around seven areas of learning:

Prime Areas

• Communication and Language

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development

• Physical Development

Specific Areas

• Literacy

• Mathematics

• Understanding the World

• Expressive Arts and Design

These areas are carefully woven together through engaging topics, child-initiated play, outdoor learning and high-quality teaching experiences.

Learning Through Play

Play is at the heart of our Reception curriculum. Children learn through carefully planned opportunities both indoors and outdoors, allowing them to explore, investigate, problem solve and collaborate with others.

Our skilled practitioners observe children's interests and use these to create exciting learning opportunities which support progress across all areas of development.

Alongside child-led learning, staff provide focused teaching in phonics, reading, writing, mathematics and communication skills to ensure children are well prepared for Key Stage 1.

Reading and Early Language Development

Developing a love of reading starts from day one. Children are immersed in stories, rhymes, songs and rich language experiences that help build vocabulary and communication skills.

Ofsted recognised the school's strong approach to reading and noted that the curriculum promotes children's love of reading from the Early Years onwards.

Learning Environment

Our Reception environment is designed to stimulate curiosity and independence. Children have access to high-quality resources that support exploration, creativity and learning both inside and outside the classroom.

We believe that outdoor learning is an essential part of child development and provide opportunities for children to learn, investigate and be active in all weathers.

Working in Partnership with Families

We recognise that parents and carers are children's first educators. Building strong relationships with families is fundamental to our success.

Before children join Reception, we work closely with families and other settings to ensure a smooth transition into school. Parents are regularly informed about their child's learning and development through meetings, events and ongoing communication.

Ofsted recognised that the school works closely with parents before children start in Reception to ensure appropriate support and provision are in place where needed.

Inclusion and Additional Needs

We are committed to ensuring that all children can access and enjoy learning. Early identification of additional needs is a priority, enabling us to provide appropriate support and work effectively with families and external agencies where required.

Our staff work collaboratively to ensure that every child can achieve their full potential regardless of their starting point. Ofsted highlighted the school's commitment to early identification and support for children with SEND.

Highly Skilled Staff

Our Early Years team is dedicated to providing the very best educational experiences for children. Staff regularly engage in professional development to ensure their practice remains up to date and informed by the latest educational research.

As part of The Rowan Learning Trust, our staff regularly attend:

• Cheshire West and Chester Local Authority training and network meetings

• Early Years moderation events

• Trust-wide professional development opportunities

• Curriculum development meetings

• Best practice sharing events with colleagues across the Trust

This commitment to continuous professional development ensures that we remain current with national guidance, educational research and effective Early Years practice, enabling us to provide the highest quality education for our children.

Assessment in EYFS

Assessment in Reception is ongoing and forms an integral part of teaching and learning.

Staff carefully observe children's learning, interactions and achievements throughout the year. These observations help us to understand each child's strengths, identify next steps and ensure that learning experiences meet individual needs.

At the end of Reception, schools complete the statutory Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP), which summarises each child's attainment against the Early Learning Goals set out in the EYFS Framework.

Safeguarding and Welfare

The welfare, safety and wellbeing of every child is our highest priority.

We meet all statutory safeguarding and welfare requirements outlined in the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework, including:

• Safeguarding and child protection procedures

• Appropriate staff-to-pupil ratios

• Paediatric first aid requirements

• Health and safety procedures

• Risk assessments

• Suitable recruitment and vetting of staff

• Promotion of children's health, wellbeing and emotional development

Looking for a Reception Place?

We would be delighted to show you what makes Whitley Village School such a special place to learn.

If your child is approaching school age and you are looking for a Reception place, please contact the school to arrange a visit. We are always happy to welcome prospective families and provide an opportunity to see our nurturing environment, meet our staff and experience the unique atmosphere that helped our Early Years provision achieve an Outstanding Ofsted judgement.

Telephone: 01606 822991

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.whitleyprimary.co.uk

We look forward to welcoming you and your family to Whitley Village School.