EYFS

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

Curriculum Intent

At Byron Primary School, we believe that every child deserves the very best start to their education. Our Early Years curriculum is designed to provide rich, meaningful and memorable experiences that inspire curiosity, develop confidence and foster a lifelong love of learning.

We recognise that children arrive at Byron with a wide range of experiences, strengths and starting points. Our curriculum is carefully designed to meet the needs of our unique community, supporting every child to develop academically, socially, emotionally and physically whilst building the foundations for future success.

Communication and language development are a central priority within our Early Years provision. As many of our children speak English as an additional language and some begin school with developing language skills, we place a strong emphasis on vocabulary, communication and oracy. Through high-quality interactions, storytelling, conversation and targeted interventions such as WellComm, we support children to develop the language, confidence and communication skills they need to thrive in school and beyond.

At Byron, we want children to become confident, resilient and independent learners who demonstrate our school values of Respect, Aspire and Succeed. We aim for every child to:

• Develop strong communication and language skills
• Build positive relationships with others
• Become confident and independent learners
• Develop resilience and perseverance
• Show curiosity about the world around them
• Learn through exploration, creativity and play
• Develop a strong sense of belonging and self-worth
• Build the knowledge and skills needed for a successful transition into Key Stage 1

We value and celebrate the diversity of our school community and strive to ensure that every child feels welcomed, represented and included. Through carefully planned experiences, children develop respect for themselves, others and the world around them.

Learning through play sits at the heart of our curriculum. We believe that children learn best through a balance of adult-directed teaching and child-initiated exploration. Through purposeful play, children develop independence, creativity, communication, problem-solving skills and a genuine enthusiasm for learning.

We also recognise the crucial role that families play in children's development and place great importance on building strong partnerships with parents and carers. By working together, we can ensure that every child receives the support they need to flourish.

Curriculum Implementation

Within EYFS, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework, which sets out the learning and development requirements for children from birth to five years.

Our curriculum is organised around the seven areas of learning:

Prime Areas

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

Specific Areas

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the World
• Expressive Arts and Design

These areas are carefully woven together through engaging topics, high-quality texts, purposeful play experiences and meaningful learning opportunities.

Planning is responsive and flexible, reflecting the interests, needs and developmental stages of the children. Adults carefully observe, assess and adapt learning to ensure all children are challenged and supported appropriately.

A key feature of our provision is our commitment to developing children's language and communication skills. Through storytelling, nursery rhymes, role play, structured talk, WellComm interventions and high-quality adult interactions, children are given frequent opportunities to develop vocabulary, express ideas and build confidence as communicators.

Children participate in a balance of:

• Adult-directed teaching
• Small-group learning
• Child-initiated exploration
• Indoor and outdoor learning
• Practical, hands-on experiences

Our outdoor environment forms an important part of the curriculum. Children regularly engage in outdoor learning opportunities that encourage exploration, physical development, problem-solving, collaboration and creativity.

Throughout the EYFS, we actively develop the Characteristics of Effective Learning. We want children to:

Play and Explore

Investigate, discover and develop confidence in trying new things.

Learn Actively

Remain engaged, persevere through challenges and take pride in their achievements.

Create and Think Critically

Develop ideas, solve problems, make connections and work collaboratively with others.

Through skilled questioning, modelling and purposeful interaction, staff support children in becoming increasingly independent learners who are willing to take risks, think creatively and learn from their experiences.

Curriculum Impact

At Byron Primary School, we work hard to ensure that all children make strong progress from their individual starting points.

Assessment is ongoing and informed by regular observation, discussion and interaction with children. Learning is recorded through observations and evidence gathered within children's learning journeys, allowing staff to identify strengths, next steps and areas requiring additional support.

We use formative assessment continuously to inform planning and ensure teaching meets children's needs. Summative assessment is based on Development Matters and the Early Learning Goals and is moderated both internally and externally to ensure accuracy and consistency.

The impact of our curriculum can be seen in children who are:

• Happy, confident and enthusiastic learners
• Effective communicators
• Curious and engaged in the world around them
• Increasingly independent and resilient
• Able to build positive relationships
• Well-prepared for the expectations of Key Stage 1
• Proud of their achievements and confident in their abilities

By the end of Reception, children leave the Early Years with secure foundations in communication, language, literacy, mathematics and personal development. They have developed the confidence, independence, resilience and love of learning needed to continue their educational journey successfully.

Most importantly, they leave Byron's Early Years as children who are ready to embrace new challenges, communicate confidently, build positive relationships and continue to Respect, Aspire and Succeed throughout their school life and beyond.