At Thringstone, our vision is to Believe and Achieve Together. In our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), this begins from day one. We want every child to feel safe, secure and valued so they are confident to explore, learn and grow.
Children start school with very different experiences. Our role is to make sure each child secures strong foundations in speaking, listening, reading, writing and early maths. These early skills are vital for success later in school. We also help children develop memory, focus and self-control so they can learn well and enjoy school life.
Our EYFS curriculum reflects our three drivers: Aspiration, Communication and Culture. These help children aim high, share their learning with confidence and understand both their community and the wider world.
Literacy
Storytelling and high-quality books are central to our approach. We want every child to enjoy stories and language while also building the key skills of word reading and writing.
We follow Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised for phonics. This gives children a clear, step-by-step way to learn sounds and words.
We also use Talk for Writing. Children learn to retell stories out loud with actions and pictures before moving on to writing their own versions. This builds confidence in speaking, deepens their understanding of language and helps them become independent writers.
By the end of Reception, children are ready to move into Year 1 as confident early readers and writers.
Mathematics
We teach maths in a practical and structured way. Using White Rose Maths, children learn through hands-on experiences. This gives them a secure grounding in number and problem-solving.
Learning Environment
Our classrooms and outdoor areas are set up so children can explore and practise their learning. This builds curiosity, independence and resilience.
Outdoor learning is an important part of EYFS at Thringstone. Children use the outdoor area, garden, forest school and nature spaces to develop teamwork, cooperation and problem-solving.
Planning and Teaching
We balance direct teaching in whole-class, small-group and one-to-one sessions with purposeful play. This means children learn key skills with adult support and also have time to practise and explore independently.
Every child can access our curriculum. Extra help is given when needed, with the aim of building children up rather than reducing what they learn. Regular checks on learning help us to spot and fix any gaps quickly.
Areas of Learning and Development
EYFS covers seven areas of learning:
Prime Areas: Personal, Social and Emotional Development; Physical Development; Communication and Language.
Specific Areas: Literacy; Mathematics; Understanding the World; Expressive Arts and Design.
Leadership
Our EYFS is led by the Early Years team, working closely with the Headteacher, Mr Swales and EYFS/KS1 lead, Miss Bowers. Together they ensure our provision is ambitious, well planned and based on the latest guidance, giving every child the best possible start.