The Early Years at Woodrow First School

EARLY LEARNING GOALS AND THE FOUNDATION STAGE

“The Statutory Framework for Early Years Foundation Stage, given legal force from September 2023, is mandatory for all early years providers in England: maintained schools, non-maintained school; independent school (including free schools and academies); all providers on the Early Years Register; and all providers registered with an early years childminder. (CMA)”

EYFS Statutory Framework 2025

 The Foundation Stage is a distinctive stage and the Early Learning Goals establish expectations for children to work towards. It is important to plan a curriculum that helps children make good progress.

The introduction of the Early Years Foundation Stage does not change the point at which attendance at school is compulsory, which is the beginning of the term after a child’s fifth birthday.

The children will develop their potential through a well-planned, broad and balanced curriculum of activities. The curriculum will be accessible to all children, giving them equal opportunity. Any additional needs will be carefully assessed and work will be planned appropriately. All children will be given full curriculum entitlement, working towards the Early Learning Goals. They will be constantly encouraged and helped to develop a positive attitude to learning.

The Foundation Stage curriculum is organised into seven educational programmes, three ‘Prime Areas’ and four ‘Specific Areas.’

These Prime Areas are particularly crucial ‘for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive,’

Communication and Language has been highlighted as a particular need in our school as it underpins so much of the curriculum. Speaking and listening skills will be developed through the “Little Wandle Letters and Sounds” Foundations scheme, the Write Stuff literacy approach, drama, role play and storytelling activities, allowing the children to experience many real and imaginary situations. Mantle of the Expert provides a valuable tool to develop these skills. The children will be encouraged to share their own experiences and ideas. They will learn to follow instructions and respond to what they hear with relevant comments, questions and actions.

Physical Development. Gross and fine motor skills will be improved to allow individuals to achieve their movement potential and master skills such as using tools and equipment effectively, cutting and writing.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Each child is valued as an individual and a member of the group. They will develop a strong self-image and high self-esteem, working towards simple goals and begin to regulate their behaviour accordingly. As social and emotional skills develop, children will be able to self-manage and benefit from interaction and co-operation with peers. We will sensitively develop an appreciation of other cultures and beliefs and build relationships to work and play cooperatively. They will also increase their understanding of how their bodies work and what they need to be healthy.

Specific Areas

Literacy

We develop the reading and writing skills of individuals to allow them to record their own ideas and share the ideas and stories of others. Phonics is a key element in this development and due regard will be given to The Reading Framework. At Woodrow First School we follow the “Little Wandle Letters and Sounds” accredited phonics scheme. Children will explore a variety of different books and have support and opportunities to develop their decoding, prosody and comprehension. Books to read will always be successfully matched to their phonic level alongside multiple opportunities to explore books independently and with others for pleasure.  Mark making and letter formation is developed throughout the Foundation Stage using the “Little Wandle Letter and Sounds” guidance. Reading and writing are fundamental skills for life. Foundation Stage will also adopt elements of ‘The Write Stuff” approach to develop and support skills for writing as developed in the rest of the school. 

Mathematics

will primarily be explored practically and the emphasis will be placed on investigating numbers and numerical patterns. We use a variety of practical resources and methods to teach and reinforce concepts. The White Rose planning is used to inform the progression of maths teaching/learning and children also have four ‘NCTEM Mastery in Maths’ sessions each week to support depth of knowledge and mastery of number.

The children will improve their Understanding the World, starting from what they already know and using scientific, technological, geographical and historical skills to extend their understanding further. The children will develop their own ideas, make predictions and question their observations. They will find out about their own environment and learn about people and places that have significance in their lives, in the past and the present. We use the National Online Safety programme to develop children’s awareness of online presence and safety. We also take inspiration from Barefoot Computing to develop children's technological skills.     

Expressive Arts and Design will involve the children in using a variety of materials, tools and techniques. They will express their ideas and feelings through role-play, music, dance, craft and drama, developing their imagination and creativity. We use the Access Art Early Years and DT Kapow schemes of work to support our planning and ensure a range of opportunities and progression of skills is planned for.

“None of the areas of Learning and Development can be delivered in isolation from the others. They are equally important and depend on each other to support a rounded approach to child development. All the areas must be delivered through planned, purposeful play with a balance of adult led and child initiated activities.”

EYFS Practical Guidance