Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

Intent, Implementation and Impact

Intent

In the Early Years Foundation Stage, we strive to give every child a strong foundation on which they can grow, explore and achieve as learners. Our intent is to create a learning environment where children feel happy, safe and secure, and where they know they are valued and respected. We are committed to developing positive relationships in which children’s well-being is paramount and their voices are heard.

We work in close partnership with Parents and Carers, recognising that families know their children best and are central to supporting progress. Our intent is to ensure that all opportunities within the EYFS are inclusive, accessible and designed so that every child can achieve their full potential. We aim to nurture curiosity, creativity and imagination so that children develop a genuine love of learning that will support them throughout their school journey.

Implementation

We plan and deliver a broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum that builds on children’s prior knowledge and supports them in achieving their next steps across all areas of learning. Our continuous provision is carefully designed to be engaging, challenging and responsive, encouraging children to be independent, resilient and collaborative learners.

Play is at the heart of our provision, and we understand the importance of high-quality, first-hand experiences in helping children make sense of the world. The outdoor environment is fully embraced as an extension of the classroom, offering children rich learning opportunities all year round.

We ensure a thoughtful balance between structured adult-led learning and child-initiated experiences. High-quality adult-child interactions are central to our approach, with practitioners using sensitive scaffolding, modelling and questioning to extend thinking, develop language and build confidence.

Impact

As a result of our approach, children in our EYFS develop secure relationships, a strong sense of well-being and confidence in their own abilities. They demonstrate curiosity, independence and a positive attitude towards learning. Children make good progress from their starting points and are well-prepared socially, emotionally and academically for the next stage of their education.

Our children show high levels of engagement in play and exploration, communicate effectively with others, and demonstrate increasing resilience and perseverance when faced with challenges. They develop the foundations of key skills across all areas of learning and build a love of learning that enables them to continue to thrive both in school and beyond.