Early Years Curriculum

At St Frideswide, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum ( EYFS). 

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is made up of seven areas of learning that are defined as Prime or Specific areas. The Prime areas of learning and development are fundamental, work together, and begin to develop in response to relationships and experiences. The 3 areas known as the prime areas are seen as particularly important for igniting curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building children’s capacity to learn, form relationships and flourish. 

The prime areas are: 

• Communication and language 
• Physical development 
• Personal, social and emotional development 

The prime areas are strengthened and applied through 4 specific areas: 

• Literacy 
• Mathematics 
• Understanding the world 
• Expressive arts and design
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Provision is made for good quality resources with an emphasis on the use of concrete materials for use in all curriculum areas for both indoor and outdoor experiences. These are well organized and accessible to the children. Outdoor facilities are available whenever possible and are regarded as part of the learning environment as a whole. 

Children learn best through first hand experiences. Emphasis is placed on practical exploration, encouraging the use and extension of skills, knowledge, concepts and, in particular, language acqusition. 

An emphasis is placed on the value of children’s play in their learning, where children can acquire concepts and practise skills. The Early Years Team provide well organized, well resourced play areas which give opportunities for observation, challenge and extension of the child’s learning as appropriate. This provision is carefully monitored in order to inform future planning.

• We teach Phonics  using the Read, Write, Inc scheme of learning

   

  Our Reading is structured using a combination of reading scheme and real books which are levelled using standard Book Banding.  Once children are confident readers they use 

   

  We teach Maths using Big Maths and White Rose

   

  We teach Science using Crest Science awards. 

   

  We teach RE using the Diocese of Oxford Scheme of Work.  This uses an  Engage,  Enquire,  Evaluate  and Reflect model. It is important that whenever the children are given the opportunity to reflect on what they have learned, they consider what difference their learning is making to their thinking and acting.

   

   We teach Computing using Lego Coding Express 

   

  We teach PE using Real PE, Real Gym and offering opportunities with sports coaches including Karate.

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  We teach Music using  Charanga

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  Our topic work is guided through play and exploration, spending lots of time both inside and outside. 

   

  Topic

  Only one you Incredible inventors	It's a Kind of Magic	Pole to Pole

   

  Wild Things	Beside the Seaside	Perfect Pets