Early Years Curriculum
"Play is the highest form of research."
Albert Einstein
Our EYFS - What we want to achieve
At Sunnyfields we recognise that every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning. Our aim is to create a learning environment and build relationships that support, enhance and invite a child’s curiosity, confidence and individual competency to flourish regardless of backgrounds, circumstances or needs. It is our intent that children who enter our EYFS begin their lifelong learning journey by developing physically, verbally, cognitively and emotionally whilst also embedding a positive attitude to school and a love of learning. Staff plan teaching and learning opportunities that cater for the varied life experiences of our children by creating indoor and outdoor environments that support and stimulate children’s learning.
We provide enabling environments because of an approach that has a balance between adult led learning and child-centred learning that follows personal interests and individual needs, consolidates knowledge and ensures that children progress to their next steps. The setting provides opportunities for the children to experience a rich language environment, to develop their skills in expressing themselves as well as to speak and listen in a range of situations.
Physical activities are integrated into the children’s learning to create a foundation of movement and activity that will be carried with them throughout the rest of their lives.
We work in partne
rship with parents and carers to ensure that children are happy, independent learners who flourish in school and reach their full potential.
Staff ensure children make good progress from their starting points and are prepared to reach the Early Learning Goals at the end of the Foundation Stage.
How we want to achieve it
At Sunnyfields, we follow the Early Years Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. The framework specifies the requirement for learning and development in the Early Years and provides prime and specific areas of learning we must cover in our curriculum. The Development Matters guidance supports the delivery of the Early Years Statutory Framework. The learning experiences within our Early Years are linked to the seven areas of learning and development within the EYFS. These areas are split into three prime areas and four specific areas. The three prime areas are those which the children should develop first and are considered most essential for the healthy development and future learning of our children. 
The EYFS is based upon four principles;
- A Unique Child – every child is a unique child who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable and self-assured.
- Positive Relationships – children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships.
- Enabling Environments – children learn and develop well in enabling environments, in which their experiences respond to their individual needs and there is a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and carers.
- Learning and Development – children develop and learn in different ways. The framework covers the education and care of all children in the early years provision, including children with special educational needs and disabilities.
The child-centred approach to learning is where we follow their natural curiosities, interests and passions. To capture the children’s interest we follow the ‘planning for learning cycle’ starting with observation, then assessment and finally planning exhilarating experiences and opportunities for the children. They engage in planned, focussed activities as well as self-initiated and free flow activities. New vocabulary and concepts through reading will excite and engage all learners which includes staff modelling standard English and asking high quality questions
In addition, we recognise that children learn by playing and exploring, being active and through thinking creatively and critically. We ensure that we provide opportunities to support the Characteristics of Effective Learning.
During the school day, children will have the chance to engage in activities with their peers, independently or with adults in the class. Adults in EYFS make a range of observations of children’s learning, which cover all seven areas and ensure that they are meeting their next steps. These observations are recorded in their learning journal.
Parents are well informed and meet with class teacher each term to discuss the children’s progress in the seven key areas as well as discussing next steps. In Reception, parents are supported with weekly sessions that explore the seven key areas of learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage.
We use learning journals across the EYFS, which evidence to the children and their families the successes of the children throughout their time in Early Years. As a team, we carry out regular internal moderation sessions and also ensure that staff attend external meetings and training to ensure that we feel confident with our judgements and that these judgements are consistent with a range of other settings. Assessment starts with careful observations which are then used to inform planning.
Our children will grow to be confident, competent lifelong learners and good citizens The children at Sunnyfields experience a smooth transition between Nursery, Reception and beyond. Effective communication and collaboration ensure the children leave the EYFS with a solid foundation of learning of which to build upon.