Early Years Curriculum

Throughout EYFS at Two Gates Primary School, we follow the Early Years Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. This framework specifies the requirements for learning and development in the Early Years and provides prime and specific areas of learning we must cover in our curriculum. The Educational programmes outlined in the Framework, clearly state the activities and experiences that pupils should have the opportunity to come across in each of the seven areas of learning.

The children have access to a broad, balanced and progressive curriculum that enables them to learn new skills, acquire new knowledge and demonstrate understanding through the seven areas of the EYFS curriculum.

The 7 areas of learning

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development (prime area)
• Physical Development (prime area)
• Communication and Language (prime area)
• Literacy (specific area)
• Mathematics (specific area)
• Understanding the World (specific area)
• Expressive Arts and Design (specific area)

These seven areas are used to plan children’s learning and activities. Planning for this curriculum is designed to be flexible so that a child’s unique interests are supported. We value the importance of uninterrupted play and carefully consider our timetable to ensure that children have the opportunity to access their environment and be fully engaged in the learning process. Adults skilfully assess children’s level of independence and engagement and only intervene in children’s play when value can be added or when invited to do so by the child. 

We understand the importance of language and vocabulary and ensure that we provide a language rich environment through the selection of high quality texts and the modelling of language. Throughout the EYFS, we begin each week with a book that children will explore in a variety of ways over a period of days.

As children move into their Reception Year, development of these Prime Areas remains a central part of the curriculum, particularly in the first term to aid with transition. The learning from Nursery is continued and progressive; children in Reception have daily Read, Write, Inc. (RWI) sessions (our phonic scheme), a daily maths session and a focus on the teaching and learning of the specific areas becomes more prominent throughout the year. The continuous and enhanced provision allows children to build on new and existing learning taking into account all areas of the curriculum.

A practical, playful approach to learning, based on the needs and interests of our children, is delivered through loose themes based on texts, rhymes and seasonal events. We encourage active learning to ensure that children are motivated and interested. We take time to get to know children’s interests and needs which form the basis of our planning.

At Two Gates we are influenced by a range of pedagogies whilst recognising that one size does not fit all. We teach children individually, joining in with children’s play- in small groups and at times as a whole class. Through a combination of teacher input and continuous and enhanced provision opportunities, learning encourages children to develop their independence through exploration and challenge. Teaching and learning is a balance of child initiated and adult led activities in response to individual children’s needs and is adapted in the moment by our knowledgable and highly skilled staff to suit the needs and stage of each individual learner.