Early Years Foundation Stage

Overview of Teaching and Learning

Central to our philosophy at Repton Manor Primary School is the interaction and relationships between practitioners, children and their families. We do this through getting to know the children as individuals, finding out about their interests and guiding their development through caring and positive relationships. It is through these relationships that we are able to plan personalised play opportunities for the children. In our most recent Ofsted inspection (2013) it was recognised that Teaching in the Early Years Foundation Stage is of high quality. Resources and the indoor and outdoor classrooms are attractively presented and well used. Children are given very good opportunities to practise and apply their developing skills in reading, writing and mathematics. Staff listen and respond to pupils well and help them to make discoveries that develop their learning.

We deliver a curriculum based on the framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. This describes the seven areas of learning and development which "must be implemented through planned, purposeful play".

The Seven Areas of Learning are:

  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development (P.S.E.D)
  • Communication and Language (C.L)
  • Physical Development (P.D.)
  • Literacy (L)
  • Mathematics (M)
  • Understanding of the World (U.W)
  • Expressive Arts and Design (E.A.D)

We meet these areas through a range of adult and child initiated opportunities, taking pride in how we set up out learning environment to enable the children to access the three Characteristics of Effective Learning: Playing and Exploring; Active Learning and Creating and Thinking Critically.

Throughout the year the Reception children play, make friends, develop and learn. They have great fun, exploring and creating, indoors and outside. They gain independence and confidence and their natural curiosity is encouraged at all times

Students playing with wooden blocksStudent using a set of scales

 

Children drawing on a whiteboardStudents drawing on a birdbox with Mrs. Doody

 

Our Timetable:

Below is an example of our timetable at the start of the year. Please note this may change subject to the children’s needs and special events. We share the timetable each day with the children using a visual timetable (see photo below)

  • 8:40 gates open (parents can come in and speak to the staff, help settle their child and complete carpet activities to settle their child)
  • 8:50 registration and welcome songs
  • 9:00 Fun fingers (fine and gross motor activities)
  • 9:20 Read Write Inc (phonics)
  • 9:45 Child initiated planning and snack
  • 10:00 Child Initiated (indoor and outdoor play)
  • 11:10 Tidy up time and review learning
  • 11:15 Adult led activity
  • 11:45 Lunch time and play time
  • 13:00 Register and relaxation after lunch
  • 13:05 Adult led activity
  • 13:30 Child Initiated (indoor and outdoor play)
  • 14:35 Tidy up time and review learning
  • 14:45 Story time and songs
  • 14:55 Get ready for home

Image of the timetable

Parents as partners

At Repton Manor we know you know your child best: they have already learnt so much from you. We want to get to know you as a family and listen to your feedback. We welcome parents into the classroom every morning to help settle their child, as well as thought the year to share the children’s learning. We hold parents’ workshops to help you support your child’s learning and enjoy talking to you at our three Parents’ Evenings about your child’s development. That said, we have a very open door and are always happy to talk to you about your child.

Parents and students cooking togetherParent reading to a group of students

 

Outcomes for children

At the end of Reception children are assessment against the Early Learning Goals. Since opening in 2012 we pride ourselves that the % of children achieving a Good Level of Development has been consistently above national average. Ofsted (2013) noted that ‘Children are educated well in the Early Years Foundation Stage. They make good progress and are well prepared for Year 1.’

 

Year % achieving a Good Level of Development
2013 69%
2014 88%
2015 88%
2016 79%

 

Transition

We know that the transition to school is an important one. To help your child settle into school well we offer the following:

  • Home visits from the reception team
  • Stay and Play Sessions
  • Nursery visits (when possible)
  • School tours
  • Photo booklets
  • Book bags and jumpers sent to our feeder nurseries for role play
  • Half day settling sessions

Through these opportunities we believe that staff and children get to know each other well and form good relationships quickly. Our 2016 parental transition questionnaire showed that 100% of questionnaires returned agreed that their child had settled well at Repton Manor.

Starting School?

Click Here to view our inforamtion booklet for children starting in 2017.

What can I do to help my child before they start school?

  • Have conversations with your child as often as possible
  • Read to your child every day if possible.
  • Share positive stories about school and show them the photos on this website
  • Enjoy sharing stories, songs and rhymes with your child, both in English and your home language.
  • Make good use of outings with your child e.g. parks, shops, libraries, swimming pools etc.
  • Talk about their interests and things they enjoy.
  • Encourage your child to look for numbers and words in their local environment e.g. door numbers, bus numbers, shop names and food labels.
  • If you would like to bring in any creative models, paintings or drawings, we would be happy to display them in the classroom to celebrate your child’s achievements.
  • Encourage your child to be independent when putting on their coats and shoes and when going to the toilet.

Useful Websites

Questions

If you have any questions or concerns throughout your child’s time in school, please see your child’s class teacher or Sarah Moss Deputy Headteacher and Early Years Leader.