At Newton Bluecoat we strongly encourage children to become independent learners. This begins at the very start of their school lives in the Foundation Stage (Nursery and Reception).
The Early Years Foundation Stage is the stage in your child’s learning from birth to 5 years old. This is the time in school that we call Nursery or Reception. In your child’s first years at school we aim to prepare the children for the rest of their school career. Children will have a range of experiences and opportunities to gain everyday skills and develop in a variety of areas of learning. We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework.
Our children have constant access to both an outdoor learning space and an indoor learning space. The children have access to a variety of continuous provision from both sand and water being inside, and out outstanding provision outdoors. There’s regularly construction, small world play, role play and malleable resources are available both inside and out, along with a selection of writing and reading opportunities.
Our early years curriculum is broken up into six half termly topics which is decided on by the children. Whatever the children’s interests may be pointing towards, be it, superheroes, pirates, animals or fairy tales (to name only a few from over the years) our planning is tailored towards their needs, wants and interests.
Children in the early years are taught through short adult led sessions and are then encouraged to develop and practise their taught skill through a wealth of opportunities set up in the continuous provision. All of our continuous provision areas are enhanced on a weekly basis, sometimes even every couple of days, to ensure that children remain motivated, happy and excited to learn. Taught sessions include phonics, mental maths, guided reading and a focused activity that changes on a daily basis.
For more information about our Early Years children please visit our class page to view photographs of the children enjoying a vibrant and rich Early Years curriculum.