Edenbridge Primary School

Foundation Stage (Nursery and Reception)

Children in Nursery and Reception follow the statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage which focuses on seven main areas of learning and development, divided into ‘Prime’ and ‘Specific’ areas.

Prime areas (Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Communication and Language and Physical Development) are fundamental, work together, and support development in all other areas.
Specific areas (Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, Expressive Arts and Design) include essential skills and knowledge for children to participate successfully in society. These areas are broken down into 17 Areas of Learning and each has an Early Learning Goal statement for pupils to work towards. Children develop and learn in different ways. The framework covers the education and care of all children in early years provision, including children with special educational needs and disabilities.

At Edenbridge Primary School’s Nursery your child’s learning is very carefully planned in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance. The Nursery provides a rich and broad range of learning opportunities that are developed and carefully planned based upon children's interests and provocations introduced by the adults.

Areas for enquiry are planned with an interesting mix of found resources and more familiar resources. Children are given time and space to 'think' and work can take place over extended periods of time. 

We plan the environment with opportunities for learning and then carefully observe each child's interaction and response, noticing the way they encounter the resources, environment and each other.

This then leads to a series of professional questions about how we may extend the interests of the children and develop their skills as 'communicators'.  Our careful observations of each child are linked back to the EYFS guidance materials, Developmental Bands, so that we may make a professional judgement about each child's skill and capabilities. Observations, encounters and learning stories are regularly shared with parents who often contribute feedback. 

We ensure planning includes experiences and opportunities that address all seven aspects of learning: Personal Social and Emotional Developments, Communication and Language, Physical Development, Literacy, Mathematics, Expressive Arts and Design and Understanding the World, with the Characteristics of Effective Learning running through the core.

The Characteristics of Effective Learning focus on the ways in which the child engages with other people and their environment – playing and exploring, active learning, and creating and thinking critically. These characteristics underpin learning and development across all areas and support the child to remain an effective and motivated learner throughout the Early Years and into Key Stage 1.

Assessment in the Foundation Stage

On-going assessment is at the heart of effective early years practice. Practitioners observe, assess and support children, considering ways to support children to strengthen and deepen their current learning and development.

Best-fit judgements are made against the Early Learning Goals about whether a child is working at an expected level of development for their age, emerging or working towards an expected level or exceeding the expected level of development. To achieve a Good Level of Development at the end of the EYFS pupils have to have achieved an expected level of development in the first 12 areas of learning (Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Communication and Language, Physical Development, Literacy and Mathematics). The EYFS requires early years practitioners to review children’s progress and share a summary with parents at the end of the EYFS (Reception Year) in the EYFS Profile.

Play and Learning

We believe that children learn best when involved in play activities inside and outside – whatever the weather! Children in   our Nursery are free to choose to play indoors or outside during most of the day. Staff carefully plan activities across the whole   environment that support all 7 areas of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

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

We believe that children learn by "doing" supported by discussion with an interested adult. This often involves getting messy! Please ensure your child has at least one full set of clothes to change into if needed.

Further information on the EYFS can be found in the following links:

Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage