Our EYFS curriculum is designed to:

• Place children at the centre of learning, valuing their interests, experiences and voices.
• Promote high levels of wellbeing and involvement, recognising that children learn best when they feel safe, happy and secure.
• Ensure all children, including those with additional needs or from disadvantaged backgrounds, make strong progress from their individual starting points.
• Develop the whole child through a balanced curriculum that supports personal, social and emotional development alongside communication, language, physical development and early academic learning.

We are ambitious for every child, set high expectations and strive for excellence, while recognising that children develop at different rates.

Our EYFS curriculum is structured around the seven areas of learning and development, with particular emphasis on the three prime areas:

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
• Communication and Language
• Physical Development

These prime areas underpin children’s readiness to learn and are carefully woven through daily routines, continuous provision and adult-led experiences. The four specific areas—Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, and Expressive Arts and Design—are developed through meaningful, play-based and real-life contexts.

Learning is carefully sequenced to build knowledge, skills and vocabulary over time. We use high-quality texts, rich talk and purposeful experiences to deepen understanding and extend learning. Our curriculum reflects our school values, a place where learning is LOVED and is responsive to the local community and the cultural capital children bring with them.

We believe that play is fundamental to children’s learning and development. Through a balance of:

• child-initiated play,
• adult-guided exploration, and
• focused teaching,

Our staff team skilfully observe, interact and extend learning at the point of need. High-quality interactions, modelling of language and thinking, and well-timed questioning are central to our practice. Staff have had extensive training in high quality interactions, using the ShREC approach and training through our phonics scheme, little wandle.

We prioritise the development of communication and language, recognising its crucial role in supporting learning across the curriculum. Storytelling, songs, rhymes and structured talk opportunities are embedded throughout the day.

We recognise parents and carers as children’s first and most important educators. Strong partnerships are central to our EYFS curriculum. We work collaboratively with families to share information, celebrate achievements and support learning at home, ensuring continuity between home and school. All our parents have access to our online learning platform, Tapestry, where lots of information is shared.

Our EYFS supports children in their transition from nurseries involves creating a nurturing and structured approach that eases them into the next stage of their educational journey. We focus on building strong relationships with children, families, and receiving schools to ensure continuity of care and learning. This includes sharing information about each child’s interests, strengths, and developmental needs, as well as offering familiar routines and gradual introductions to new environments. We provide opportunities for children to visit their new settings, engage in activities that build confidence, and develop social and emotional skills to cope with change. By maintaining open communication with parents and carers, we help families feel informed and supported, ensuring that every child experiences a smooth, positive, and confident transition, whether coming from Ducklings here at Phoenix or from other nursery settings. We support transition into Key Stage 1 by developing positive learning behaviours, independence and confidence. By the end of Reception, children leave us as enthusiastic learners who are well-equipped academically, socially and emotionally for the next stage of their education.