Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Overview at Greenholm Primary
At Greenholm Primary, our EYFS curriculum forms the foundation of every child’s educational journey, aligning with our vision for all children to be happy, confident, motivated, and ready for success. We are committed to nurturing a love for learning from the earliest stages, ensuring each child develops the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to thrive both in school and beyond.
A Curriculum with Purpose
Our EYFS curriculum is designed to provide every child with a strong start. We embrace the four guiding principles of effective early years education:
- A Unique Child: Fostering resilience, confidence, and independence.
- Positive Relationships: Building strong social skills and a love for learning.
- Enabling Environments: Creating spaces where children feel secure, valued, and inspired to explore.
- Learning and Development: Recognizing that children grow at their own pace through diverse and personalized learning experiences.
The EYFS curriculum is structured around seven areas of learning:
- Prime Areas: Communication and Language, Physical Development, and Personal, Social, and Emotional Development.
- Specific Areas: Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, and Expressive Arts and Design.
The prime areas underpin all other learning, ensuring children develop the fundamental skills they need to succeed. From developing communication and motor skills to early reading and mathematical understanding, our curriculum lays the groundwork for future learning.
Inspiring Experiences for Holistic Growth
At Greenholm, our EYFS provision ignites curiosity and creativity through enriching, hands-on experiences. We integrate outdoor learning, forest school sessions, and opportunities to explore our school farm, enabling children to develop an understanding of the natural world while building essential life skills. Popular activities like fossil hunting and themed days, such as Superhero Day, captivate imaginations and deepen engagement.
Our classrooms are thoughtfully designed with defined learning areas to encourage independence and exploration, fostering creativity and problem-solving. This balance of structured teaching and child-led play allows every child to flourish.
Strong Foundations for Future Success
We understand that children start school with diverse experiences and needs, and we celebrate each child’s individuality. By embedding our core values—Respect, Responsibility, Kindness, Curiosity, and Resilience—into every aspect of EYFS, we ensure children leave Reception with the confidence and skills to embrace their next steps in education.
Our approach equips children with early literacy and numeracy skills, supported by a systematic phonics program (Letters and Sounds) and engaging, differentiated activities. Through small-group interventions, whole-class teaching, and independent exploration, we empower every child to become a capable and enthusiastic learner.
A Partnership with Families
We recognize the vital role parents play as their child’s first educators. Our strong home-school partnership includes:
- Regular Communication: Updates via Tapestry, Class Dojo, and weekly newsletters.
- Interactive Events: Reading breakfasts, classroom workshops, and home visits.
- Parent Involvement: Termly parent-teacher meetings and opportunities to celebrate children’s progress together.
By working closely with families, we create a supportive and collaborative learning environment that nurtures every child’s development.
Preparing for Lifelong Learning
Our EYFS curriculum provides the essential building blocks for children to transition confidently into Year 1, ready to engage with our progressive curriculum model. With a focus on both academic and personal growth, we ensure every child is equipped to thrive in their journey at Greenholm and beyond.
Through a balance of nurturing care, high expectations, and meaningful learning experiences, the Early Years at Greenholm Primary set the stage for a lifetime of success.
