Argyle School Early Years Foundation Stage
Currently our Foundation Stage consists of a 39 place Nursery and two Reception classes.
The Foundation Stage aims to provide a happy, caring and safe environment, stimulate children’s natural curiosity and allow them to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding. We want children to develop independence and to co-operate with others and to talk and communicate in a range of situations whilst learning the skills needed to progress through school and future life. In 2019 79.5% of children attained a 'good' level of development at the end of Foundation Stage.
Following the statutory Early Years Foundation Stage document, opportunities for learning are provided through a planned, balanced, adult-led and child-initiated curriculum. Children experience a range of whole class, group work and independent tasks.There are seven areas in the Early Years Curriculum: Communication and Language, Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Physical Development, Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World and Expressive Arts and Design. Children have a daily phonics lesson based on the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised scheme.To enable children to develop a positive self-esteem and attitude learning takes place both inside and outdoors. It is expected that suitable outer clothing and footwear are worn to school so that children can benefit from the experiences provided in all weathers.
Our Reception Playground
At Argyle we feel very strongly about the importance of outdoor learning to support both a child's academic development and pysical and emotional well-being. The equipment has been designed to promote children's development across all areas of learning and includes a climbing frame, stage, a track for bikes cars and scooters, a natural den area,a role play cottage and an area that has been planted to attract butterflies and bees.
LEARNING TO CARE FOR SNAILS IN THE GARDEN AND CREATING A CAMP FIRE
Curriculum
We use the National Framework for the EYFS to support planning and assessment. Each half-term alongside child-initiated learning a range of themes are also planned for and taught aimed at broadening children's knowledge and interests.
This table shows the topics we currently follow.
Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 | |
Nursery | All About Me | Nursery Rhymes | People Who Help Us | Fantasy Tales | All Creatures Great and Small | Transport |
Reception | Ourselves and Our Families | Traditional Tales | We are Explorers | We are Investigators | How Does Your Garden Grow? | Down on The Farm |
Trips and Visits
Throughout the year our children experience visits that enhance their understanding of the curriculum and the local community. Trips are planned to the local church and mosque, the activitiy centre in Hyde Park and Kentish Town Farm. Visits are made from the local police and postman and children go on walks within the local area.
Our full EYFS Policy can be read here.
Parent partnerships are highly valued with Maths and Literacy workshops held regularly. In these highly popular sessions parents, teachers and children work together supporting children’s learning through a range of games and activities. Parents discover how we teach Literacy and Maths and find out ways in which they can support their children at home. Nursery parents have had the opportunity to take part in a Bookstart workshop where they made props to enhance the story 'Shark in the Park.' They have also joined their children in playing and learning at Writing and Maths 'parties.' The following photos provide a snapshot of opportunities available in the EYFS.
EXPLORING THE GARDEN
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
After listening to 'The Hungry Caterpillar' children learned to about eating healthily and made fruit kebabs.
Mathematical Development
Children learn much of their maths through playing games, creating structures and models and cooking. Young children learn to represent amounts by using their fingers.
Understanding the World
Children learn through exploring and investigating to develop their 'Understanding of the World'. This includes having visitors such as the police, firefighters and the local postman. We have also made visits to the local mosque and church and Hyde Park where children were able to go pond dipping and discover local wildlife.
POND DIPPING AND EXPLORING HABITATS IN HYDE PARK
As part of our learning about 'Healthy Eating' we made tasty vegetable soup. We worked hard on our cutting skills.
MAKING VEGETABLE SOUP
Creative Development
As part of our learning we have many opportunities for 'Creative Development' such as den building and role play as well as using a range of art materials.
The children also have the opportunity to work with musicians at Kings Place and dancers at The Place studio both of which are within walking distance of the school.
Reception children watched a performance at Kings Place by the Aurora Orchestra.With a musical arrangement by Bartok the children sailed the high seas, met a host of shimmering jellyfish, and played hide and seek with a wicked parrot and went on a treasure hunt with Agatha the Pirate. It was a fun, interactive experience for all the children.