EYFS

At Dawley, we have an academy nursery, which offers both morning and afternoon 15 hours sessions and limited 30 hour places for pupils. Across our EYFS classrooms, our pupils access hands on learning and experiences that enhance book based topics and child led learning.

We have access to outdoor areas that have been developed with new equipment and resources to reflect the seven areas of learning and the characteristics of effective learning. Our pupils access these areas daily with growing confidence and independence.

Learning in EYFS

Intent

Our Intent for the children at Dawley C of E Primary Academy is to provide an environment that stimulates our pupils to be confident, enthusiastic and inquisitive learners. Our pupils will be able to ask questions, offer their own ideas and explanations with confidence and cooperation. Whilst in our Nursery and Reception classes, our pupils will work with high levels of engagement, curiosity, collaboration and cooperation.

Implementation

We plan an exciting and challenging curriculum based on our observation of children’s needs, interests, and stages of development across the seven areas of learning to enable the children to achieve and (sometimes) exceed the Early Learning Goals.

All seven areas of learning and development are important and interconnected.

Three areas are particularly crucial for igniting children's curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive, both in the EYFS and into Key Stage 1. These three areas are the prime areas:

Communication and Language
Physical Development
Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Children are also supported through the four specific areas, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied:

Literacy
Mathematics
Understanding the World
Expressive Arts and Design

Our curriculum has been developed to ensure that we provide a language rich environment for our pupils to learn and develop their vocabulary as they explore a wide range of learning provocations linked to topics and interests.

Our staff work alongside our pupils to provide the best possible start to their education at Dawley C of E. There is a balance of adult led and child led learning with timetabled sessions exploring and learning in our outdoor classroom.

Phonics is taught daily in both Nursery and Reception classes, starting with pre-phonic skills such as rhyming, alliteration, syllable counting as a secure foundation before starting Read, Write, Inc in Reception.

Implementation in action

We have been using the magnifying glasses to explore the autumn resources.