Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

At Oak Gardens Primary School, our Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum is inspired by the principles and values of the Reggio Emilia approach. We believe every child is a capable, curious, creative and competent learner. Through nurturing relationships, high expectations and meaningful learning experiences, we ensure that children’s interests, backgrounds, ideas and individual needs are at the heart of our provision.

Our ambitious and carefully sequenced curriculum is designed to provide all children with the knowledge, skills, vocabulary and experiences they need to succeed. Drawing upon the statutory EYFS framework, we provide a broad, balanced and inclusive curriculum across all seven areas of learning. The three prime areas, Communication and Language, Personal, Social and Emotional Development, and Physical Development, underpin all learning and create strong foundations for future success. Alongside these, children develop their understanding within the specific areas of Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, and Expressive Arts and Design.

We recognise that language is fundamental to learning and future achievement. Therefore, communication, speech and language development are central to our curriculum design. Through high-quality interactions, purposeful questioning and rich learning experiences, adults explicitly develop children’s vocabulary, comprehension, speaking and listening skills. We believe every conversation matters and that every interaction offers an opportunity to extend language, deepen thinking, and support children’s understanding of the world around them. This is particularly important in ensuring equitable outcomes for children with SEND and those learning English as an Additional Language (EAL).

Our curriculum combines carefully planned themes and experiences with opportunities to follow children’s interests and curiosities. This balance ensures that children acquire important knowledge and skills whilst developing a genuine love of learning. Learning is meaningful, engaging and responsive, enabling children to make connections, revisit concepts and build increasingly sophisticated understanding over time.

Play is a fundamental vehicle for learning within our EYFS provision. Through purposeful play, children investigate, explore, create, collaborate and solve problems independently and with others. Our expertly designed learning environments act as a ‘third teacher’, providing stimulating opportunities that promote curiosity, critical thinking, communication and creativity. Carefully selected resources encourage children to take ownership of their learning, make choices and develop sustained engagement.

A key priority within our provision is the development of independence, resilience and positive learning behaviours. We support children to become confident learners who are willing to take risks, challenge themselves, persevere when faced with difficulty and celebrate their achievements. Through consistent routines, clear expectations and supportive relationships, children develop the confidence, self-regulation and self-belief required for lifelong learning.

Our indoor and outdoor learning environments are integral to our curriculum. Children benefit from daily opportunities to learn both inside and outside, developing their physical skills, creativity, social interaction, understanding of nature and problem-solving abilities. Outdoor learning provides rich opportunities to investigate, explore, collaborate and apply knowledge across all areas of learning in meaningful contexts.

Inclusion lies at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that every child enters school with unique experiences, strengths and starting points. Through careful assessment, responsive planning, and adaptive teaching, we ensure all children can access the curriculum successfully and achieve their full potential. Staff work closely with families and external agencies to identify needs, remove barriers and provide timely support where required.

Assessment is embedded within daily practice and is used to inform teaching and learning. Through observation, interaction and professional dialogue, practitioners develop a detailed understanding of what children know, understand and can do. This ongoing assessment enables staff to identify next steps, provide challenge, address misconceptions and ensure learning continually builds upon prior knowledge. Assessment is purposeful, responsive and focused on securing progress for every child.

We place great importance on developing children’s cultural capital by providing a wealth of experiences that broaden horizons, spark curiosity and deepen understanding of the world. Through visits, visitors, stories, exploration and memorable experiences, children develop the knowledge and confidence needed to engage with future learning and life beyond school.

By the end of EYFS, we aim for children to be confident communicators, independent learners, resilient problem-solvers and enthusiastic explorers. We strive to ensure every child leaves Reception with secure foundations across all areas of learning, a strong sense of self, positive attitudes towards learning and the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to flourish as they transition into Key Stage 1.

Intent

At Oak Gardens Primary School, our intent is to provide every child with a highly ambitious, language-rich and inclusive start to their educational journey. We are committed to developing confident, independent and resilient learners who are equipped with the knowledge, skills and attitudes required for future success. Through our Reggio Emilia-inspired approach, children learn in a stimulating environment where curiosity, creativity and exploration are valued and celebrated. We ensure all children, regardless of their starting points, have the opportunity to thrive, achieve, and develop a lifelong love of learning.

Implementation

Our curriculum is carefully sequenced to build knowledge and skills progressively across all seven areas of learning. High-quality interactions, explicit vocabulary teaching, purposeful play, direct teaching and meaningful first-hand experiences underpin our practice. Skilled practitioners continuously assess learning and adapt teaching to meet children’s needs, ensuring appropriate support and challenge for all learners. Indoor and outdoor environments are thoughtfully designed to promote independence, communication, critical thinking and exploration.

Impact

Children leave EYFS as confident, capable and enthusiastic learners who are ready for the challenges of Key Stage 1. They demonstrate strong communication skills, independence, positive learning behaviours and secure foundations across all areas of learning. Through our ambitious curriculum, children develop the knowledge, skills, vocabulary and cultural capital needed to succeed in their future education and wider life experiences.