Faringdon Infant School Early Years Policy

This policy describes the framework upon which the beliefs and practice of this school are based.

Our philosophy

In the Foundation Stage children learn best through play based activities and first-hand experience. Every child deserves the best possible start in life; in the Foundation Stage we aim to give this by looking at what the children can do and supporting them to fulfil their potential. Children become independent learners through the provision of a balance of child initiated and adult led experiences.

At this school we aim to provide a broad and balanced curriculum which will enable each child to develop emotionally, socially, physically, creatively, and intellectually to their full potential and at their own pace. Each child is unique and is valued as an individual.

Aims:

• To provide a happy, caring, safe and secure environment for learning which meets the individual needs and interests of the children
• To develop warm and secure relationships between children and adults
• To provide a high quality curriculum in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage document
• For the children to become aware of moral and social values
• To encourage active learning through first hand experiences both in indoor and outdoor play and through both verbal and non-verbal communication
• To encourage children to become self-motivated and independent learners with a positive attitude to learning and self-discipline
• To value the cultural diversity within the school and local community
• To foster positive home school links and share a common sense of purpose with parents

The Foundation Stage Coordinator works with the team of class teachers and other practitioners contributing towards the care and learning of the children.

The Foundation Stage Curriculum

The content of the curriculum within the Early Years is set out within the Learning and Development Requirements of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) document. Children are supported in seven areas of learning:

• Communication and Language
• Physical Development
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding of the World
• Expressive Arts and Design

Each area of learning and development is implemented though planned, purposeful play and through a mix of adult-led and child initiated activities. Children are expected to progress across the seven areas defined by seventeen early learning goals outlined in the EYFS document.

Organisation

Within the Early Years at Faringdon Infant School, there are two main areas; Nursery and Reception

A team of experienced teachers, NNEB trained staff and classroom assistants work within the Foundation Stage. Children are placed into pastoral groups (key groups) from Nursery onwards.

There is an intake of 52 part-time nursery aged children and 90 full time reception aged children. The reception children are organised into four main teaching classes – Apple, Chestnut, Hazel and Oak.

The style of teaching and organisation of the curriculum changes gradually over the year as the children develop. Nursery and Reception teams meet weekly to plan in the long, medium and short term.

Transition from Nursery to Full Time Education

Our aim is to establish a smooth and successful transition to school whether the children come from Sunflower Nursery or from another provider. This is facilitated by:

• Transition meetings within school between staff
• The opportunity for children to make a visit/visits to the Reception classroom
• Liaison with outside agencies
• Support from our school SENCO
• Parents and carers contributing to the ‘All about Me’ booklet
• A staggered start into full days in Reception
• Parent information meetings
• Children’s learning profiles passed onto Reception

Role of the Coordinator

It is the role of the Early Years Coordinator, under the guidance of the headteacher:

• To organise the delivery of the Early Years Curriculum and to ensure progression and development
• To monitor planning and quality of delivery within the curriculum
• To keep abreast of developments within Early Years by attending courses and carrying out INSET when required
• To monitor and update resources and advise the headteacher of resources and training needs within the team
• To liaise with Sunflower Nursery in their support of the Pre-school establishments within the partnership link

Equal Opportunities

All children have an equal entitlement to a good Early Years Curriculum regardless of gender, race, culture, religion, disability and special or medical needs.

Assessment

It is statutory to complete the Foundation Profile for each pupil. The children are assessed against the 17 Early Learning Goals. Practitioners must indicate whether children are meeting expected levels of development or if they are exceeding expected levels or not yet reaching expected levels (‘emerging’). An end of Foundation Stage Report to Parents comments on the characteristics of effective learning and observations in profiles are annotated to reflect this.

We complete the Foundation Stage Profile in partnership with parents.

Parents can make contributions to the profiles at Parent Teacher meetings and through home observations being sent into school. Nursery profiles are taken through with the children into the Reception class.

EYFS profile scores are reported to the authority at the end of the Reception year and are used at the transition point to inform Year 1 teachers.

Assessment and observations inform our planning, enabling us to complete the profiles and plan next steps to deliver a curriculum that is specific to the children’s needs.

Safeguarding and Welfare

We take all necessary steps to keep children safe and well by following the safeguarding requirements in section 3 of the EYFS including

• Child Protection
• Suitable People
• Staff Qualifications, Training, Support and Skills
• Staff: Child ratios
• Safety and Suitability of premises, environment and equipment
• Equal Opportunities
• Information and Records
• Risk Assessments

For further information please see the Faringdon Infant School Safeguarding policy.