Early Years Foundation Stage EYFS

Children learn as a whole and not in a fragmented way. Adult directed activities. Adult supported activities. Child initiated activities.

How do we support writing within the EYFS?

We support the continued development of children’s gross and fine motor skills. Adults demonstrate writing and provide shared writing opportunities. We provide a range of opportunities to write for different purposes. Resources and activities are multi sensory in order to capture children’s interests, sustain motivation and reinforce learning.

Expectations by the end of the year. Children to use their phonic knowledge to write words in ways which match their spoken sounds. Children to write some irregular common words. Children to write simple sentences which can be read by themselves and others. Some words are spelt correctly and others are phonetically plausible. Use a pencil and hold it effectively to form recognisable letters, most of which are correctly formed.

How do we support reading within the EYFS?

Children follow the Read Write Inc programme Children follow the Read Write Inc programme. This is a systematic approach to teaching children the sounds that make up words. Adults model blending of sounds e.g. ‘Can you get your h-a-t hat ?’ We provide a wide variety of books and text. We provide simple texts which children can decode to give them confidence and to practise their developing skills.

Expectations by the end of the year Children to read and understand simple sentences. Children to use their phonic knowledge to decode regular words and read them aloud accurately. To read some common irregular words. To demonstrate understanding when talking with others about what they have read.

How do we support mathematics within the EYFS?

We work with numbers everyday and will explore ideas such as counting, measuring and using mathematical language. We often teach maths in other areas of the curriculum and try to link this to real life contexts. We develop an interest in maths, numbers, and problem solving through games and fun activities. We use rhymes, songs and stories that involve counting. We encourage children to be creative in identifying and devising problems and solutions.

Expectations by the end of the year Children count reliably with numbers from one to 20. Place them in order and say which number is one more or one less than a given number. Using quantities and objects, they add and subtract two single-digit numbers and count on or back to find the answer. Solve problems, including doubling, halving and sharing. They recognise, create and describe patterns. Children to use everyday language to talk about size, weight, capacity, position, distance, time and money to compare quantities and objects to solve problems.

Through play, children can explore, develop and represent learning experiences and practise and build up ideas, concepts and skills.