Early Years Foundation Stage
Foundation 1 (Nursery):
3–4 year olds
We offer both 15-hour and 30-hour places, as well as flexible sessions across the week. Our hours are 8:30am – 3:15pm.
8:30am–3.15pm | Gates open: 8.30–8:40am
Total hours per week is 30
- Soft start as the children enter the setting
- Circle time in key groups – Talk and Toast, Register, calendar, daily time table
- Exploring time- Free flow opportunities across both rooms and outside with some adult led activities for the children to access.
- Circle time in key groups – Phonics or Maths focus
- Exploring time- Free flow opportunities across both rooms and outside with some adult led activities for the children to access.
- Tidy up time
- EPIC session, based on whole school topic and home time for part-time children
- Story time
- The Lunch time is in the dining hall followed by outdoor play for full time Children
- EPIC session, based on whole school topic
- Exploring time- Free flow opportunities across both rooms and outside with some adult led activities for the children to access.
- Circle time in key groups – Communication and Language, Physical Development, Understanding the world or Personal, Social, Emotional development focus.
- Exploring time- Free flow opportunities across both rooms and outside with some adult led activities for the children to access.
- Tidy up time
- Story/Singing
- Home time
Throughout each half term the children will take part in Focus activities such as music, PE, Cooking and outdoor learning
Foundation 2 (Reception):
4–5 year olds
The School day begins at 8.40am (doors open 8:30am) and ends at 3.10pm for all children in Foundation 2 | Gates open 8.30–8.40am | 32.5 hours across the week.
The children in Foundation 2 are exposed to a variety of both adult and child-led activities. We pride ourselves in making sure that the children’s experience of school is positive and engaging, thus promoting the love of learning and encouraging curiosity.
A normal day in Foundation 2 would involve:
- Soft start with morning work
- Carpet time to complete the register and discuss the calendar, seasons and weather.
- Dough Disco and Squiggle While I Wiggle – These are activities that develop the children’s fine and gross motor skills as well as support the development of their dexterity and writing skills.
- Phonics
- Exploring – Within our provision we expand the children’s understanding of the world around them and develop their communication and language skills with purposeful adult interactions.
- Maths
- Lunch in the dining room
- Relaxation Time – an opportunity for the children to reflect on the day so far and allow them to be ready to learn in preparation for our afternoon sessions.
- Handwriting – focusing on pencil control and letter formation.
- Epic – based around our Purple Curriculum
- Exploring
- Story for Story
- Home time
- The children also have weekly P.E with a professional coach and outdoor learning.
Key Stage 1
The School day begins at 8.40am (doors open 8.30am) and ends at 3.10pm for all children in Years 1 & 2 | Gates open 8.30–8.40am | 32.5 hours across a week
Year 1 : 5–6 year olds
Throughout the day the children take part in structured Adult Led activities and lessons. The children are taught as a whole class, in mixed ability groups and are given opportunities to develop their independent work. Lessons are creative and link to our half termly theme for example People, Unity, Roaming, Environment, Look and Planet.
- Early morning work
- Assembly
- Class Phonics
- Writing
- BREAK
- Maths
- Handwriting
- LUNCH
- Guided Reading
- Phonics 20
- EPIC (History, Geography, RE, PSHE, Music, Computing, Science, PE, Outdoor Learning)
- Fluency Bee
- Hometime
Year 2 : 6–7 year olds
Throughout the day in Year 2, children will take part in structured Adult Led activities and lessons. The children are taught as a whole class, in mixed ability groups and are given opportunities to develop their independent work.
Lessons are creative and link to our half termly theme for example People, Unity, Roaming, Environment, Look and Planet.
- Our daily timetable:
- Early morning work
- Assembly
- Class Phonics
- Handwriting
- Literacy
- BREAK
- Maths
- Reading Lesson
- LUNCH
- Story for Story
- EPIC (History, Geography, RE, PSHE, Music, Computing, Science, PE, Outdoor Learning)
- Hometime
Whole School Activities
Morning Playtimes
Early Years Foundation Stage children enjoy free flow periods during their sessions in school and child initiated play which means that designated ‘playtimes’ are not timetabled for F1 and F2 children.
Years 1 and 2 have a 15-minute designated playtime in the mornings.
Lunchtimes
All children in main school all day (F2, Y1, Y2) are entitled to a free, hot school meal as per the Universal Infant Free School Meal (UIFSM) initiative introduced by the Government from September 2014, Foundation 1 children do not qualify. Lunchtime is from 11.30am to 1.15pm.
Outdoor Learning
We have developed a progressive outdoor learning approach that specifically focuses on subject areas throughout the EYFS and KS1 curriculum.
The Outdoor Learning Leaders works closely with the class teachers to plan and deliver learning opportunities for pupils to explore, consolidate and develop their knowledge and understanding of the ever-changing natural environment, closely linked to Science, History and Geography.
Activities are created to inspire their curiosity, stimulate their senses and through challenging, yet achievable tasks; using various real tools and natural resources to bring learning to life. These experiential learning opportunities help to create an understanding of the balance of the natural world and the finite resources around us.
A part of the ethos for Outdoor Learning is “There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing”. The idea is that if sufficient, comfortable and appropriate clothing is provided, all children can enjoy their learning experience in all weathers. The only exception to this is high winds and lightning, as it’s not wise to be under the trees if there is a risk of falling trees or branches, however the playground and outdoor classroom will be used if necessary.
Assemblies
Daily Assemblies take place as follows:
Monday: Key Stage 1 Assembly (F2 will join in Spring Term)
Tuesday: Key Stage 1 Assembly (F2 will join in Spring Term)
Wednesday: Singing Assembly for Y1/2 (F2 will join in Spring Term)
Thursday: Key Stage 1 Assembly (F2 will join in Spring Term)
Friday: Proud to be Purple celebration assembly
Assemblies may focus on:
- Our Values:
Be Professional, Be Positive, Be Powerful, Have Pride, Have Perseverance through a story and discussion. - Celebrate special days in history or specific religions e.g. Guy Fawkes day, Remembrance day, Diwali, St. George’s day.
- Share information of important people throughout time such as Florence Nightingale, Prince William, on their birthdays.
- Celebrating children being placed on our Acts of Kindness Purple Tree board.
- Celebrate children seen demonstrating our P2bP principles and those nominated to become ambassadors.