Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
Intent
Our Early Years curriculum is ambitious and inclusive, enabling all children to make good progress from their starting points. It is broad, balanced and carefully sequenced, with a strong focus on communication and language, personal, social and emotional development, and physical development as the foundations for learning. Through purposeful play, high‑quality interactions and explicit teaching, children develop secure early reading, writing and number knowledge. By the end of Reception, children are confident, independent learners who are well prepared for the expectations and curriculum demands of Year 1.
Learning and Development in the EYFS
During their first five years, children will grow, learn and develop at a greater rate than at any other point in their lives. That is why the Early Years are so important. But children do not grow and develop at the same rate.
'4Children' have produced a guide for parents and carers to help them find out more about how children learn and develop in relation to the Early Years Foundation Stage. This booklet also includes examples of ideas and tips in supporting your child's learning and development.
The Curriculum
During the first year at our school, we provide a broad, balanced and creative curriculum that will establish firm foundations for future learning, where our children are motivated and eager to learn.
- We provide opportunities for children to learn through planned, purposeful play and child-initiated activities which support development across all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum
- We aim to encourage children to enable choice and decision-making, fostering independence and self-confidence
- At JWS, we value and encourage parental engagement and work in partnership with parents and carers to develop and nurture their children, to become the very best that they can be. Activities are planned to support the seven areas of learning and development of which three are ‘prime areas’ and four are ‘specific areas’.
Prime and Specific Areas
Prime areas are fundamental, work together and move through to support development in all other areas. The prime areas are:
- Communication and language
- Physical development
- Personal, social and emotional development
Specific areas include essential skills and knowledge for children to participate successfully in society. The specific areas are:
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding of the world
- Expressive arts and design
Baseline Assessment
On entry to JWS, children are assessed using the government Reception Baseline Assessment. This is carried out through a selection of short practical activities. Giving the children a baseline upon entry enables the class teacher to tailor the learning to the needs of the children and enables the school leadership team to track the progress that they make throughout their school life.
We continue to track the progress of our EYFS children using the EYFS Profile.
Please find our EYFS Policy here: EYFS Policy November 2025