Early years foundation stage curriculum

We believe that all children have a right to expect a curriculum which is stimulating, motivating, interesting and purposeful. At the same time, we believe that by providing a coherent, well-sequenced and planned curriculum, children can learn the shared knowledge and vocabulary that is vital to success in Base Camp, the rest of their education and, indeed, throughout life.

Our Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum underpins all future learning by supporting and fostering the children's personal, social and emotional wellbeing. It encourages the children to show positive attitudes and dispositions towards learning, and promotes learning through play. It also promotes autonomy and equality of opportunity; we aim to give every child the enabling knowledge that is possessed by the most successful adults in wider society, and this begins in EYFS.

We ensure that all students become independent and confident learners who will be successful in KS1. We do this through a combination of play-based and teacher-directed learning. Whole class, teacher-directed learning is built up throughout the year to ensure smooth transition into Year 1. EYFS staff, teachers, graduate co-teachers and Early Years practitioners, are skilled at developing learning both through play and through pre-planned, systematic teaching, and ensure that the highest standards of achievement are met.

We plan our curriculum through units that motivate the children, and read ‘key texts’, alongside multiple and wide-ranging texts, that are linked to learning. We ensure that students make links that are relevant, appropriate and purposeful across all the areas of learning. Key knowledge and vocabulary is revisited to ensure it is transferred into long-term memory and that students know and remember more.

Reading plays a vital part in the curriculum. We use Read Write Inc. as our synthetic phonics programme and all students have discreet phonics lessons every day. Skills learnt are then applied across the curriculum. Children have access to a range of fiction and non-fiction texts and are able to take books home which are matched to their phonics knowledge. We visit the local library and children read every day in Drop Everything And Read (DEAR). This emphasis on high quality rigorous daily phonics and reading ensures that ALL children learn to read by the age of 6.

Oracy is a strong focus in EYFS; communication and language progression is planned for over the year and is a constant focus during child / adult interactions.

We use the Mathematics Mastery programme to ensure deep understanding of key mathematical concepts and Tapestry to ensure consistent assessment alongside communication with families.

Our EYFS curriculum ensures that children are eager to learn, demonstrate high levels of respect for others, are able to keep on trying even when they encounter difficulties, and provides no limits or barriers to the student’s achievements regardless of their circumstances, starting points or needs.