Early Years
At Chestnuts Primary School the Early Years Foundation Stage is the term used for the education of children in our Reception classes (Ahlberg & Donaldson) and our Nursery class (Carle). The 'Early Years Foundation Stage' is completed at the end of the year in Reception when children move into Key Stage 1 or Infants. (This comprises Years 1&2, whilst Key Stage 2 covers Years 3-6).
At Chestnuts our first aim is to settle the children happily into the school, as happy children are ready learners. To this end the early days in Reception will largely mirror pre-school provision and children will move gradually towards more formal work over the course of the year.
Well-planned play is a key way in which young children learn with enjoyment and challenge. Through play children explore and investigate learning experiences which help them make sense of the world, without fear of failure. However, there will be many children who are ready to work in a more structured way as the year progresses. We aim to challenge all the children and provide them with a range of opportunities and teaching strategies to extend their learning.
The EYFS Profile summarises and describes children’s attainment at the end of the EYFS. It is based on ongoing observation and assessment in the three prime and four specific areas of learning, and the three learning characteristics, set out below:
The prime areas of learning:
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
• Communication and Language
• Physical Development
The specific areas of learning:
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the World
• Expressive Arts and Design