Early Years
Statement of Intent
At Hill Top Primary Academy we recognise the crucial role that early years education has to play in providing firm foundations upon which life-long learners are created. We also understand that warm and positive relationships between staff and children, consistent routines and strong relationships with parents are key.
Fundamental to our EYFS curriculum is the understanding that every child is unique. Therefore, our curriculum endeavours to personalise provision in order to meet the needs of all pupils, embracing the principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and Development Matters. We offer a curriculum rich in wonder and memorable experiences.
Our learning environment, both inside and out, is stimulating and promotes challenge, exploration and adventure. It is our intent that all children develop physically, verbally, cognitively and emotionally in an environment which values all cultures, communities and people. We aim to work in partnership with parents to provide the best possible start, developing happy, independent, and confident young learners who thrive to succeed, and who, by the end of EYFS, are ready for Year 1.
Implementation
In the Early Years at Hill Top Primary Academy we ensure that all children experience the seven areas of learning set out in the EYFS Framework through a balance of adult led and child initiated learning.
Our nursery and reception children are able to learn together both inside and outside within an inclusive environment which enables free-flow provision whilst also having separate designated areas for focused teaching. Our wildlife garden provides many opportunities for our youngest children to learn through our 'Forest School' ethos that continues throughout school and we take great pride in the care that our children demonstrate for the environment.
We prioritise creating a 'language rich' environment through the use of songs, nursery rhymes, stories and ensuring quality interactions between adults and between peers. Our children are encouraged to become confident communicators and develop a love of books and reading. Our systematic teaching of phonics ensures that by the time children leave EYFS, they are readers. At Hill Top Primary we use Essential Letters and Sounds to deliver daily phonics lessons to children from the very beginning of Reception.
Mathematics is taught through direct teaching and exploration. We want our children to become confident mathematicians who can apply what they have learnt to real life experiences.
The children are supported to learn to work together, manage their own feelings and consider others, through skilled adult interaction with an emphasis on listening to what children say and offering validated responses. Our children are valued and their voices heard. We know that the role of the adult is key to supporting the development of good language and communication skills.
We have embedded work on Black History, British Values and the Academy's 'Five C's' into our long term plans. This provides a rich cultural basis in which to develop the skills to be a responsible citizen.
As unique children, we look to what they can do using this as a starting point for next steps. Those who are most able are challenged and supported through being offered tasks which provide opportunities for greater depth and those who present with a barrier to learning are encouraged and given targeted support to embed skills, to develop at their own pace or simply to learn in a style that best suits their individual needs. Our focus is to really get to know our children through play and interaction and using the 'assess, plan, do, review' cycle we are able to provide appropriate teaching at the right level and at the right time in order to take learning forward.
We understand the importance of parental engagement and we build good relationships with our families. Our communication through Tapestry, School Jotter and class pages on the website, alongside workshops and parents' evenings, ensures that parents know what their children are learning, how they are progressing and how best to support them at home.
As part of the teaching and learning process, children are assessed throughout EYFS and at the end of Reception, children are assessed against the Early Learning Goals. These judgements are made on the basis of accumulative observations and in-depth knowledge of the children aquired throughout the year.
The Curriculum- Nursery
Reception