Coteford Infant School

At Coteford Infant School we believe the curriculum for our youngest children should be meaningful, relevant and enjoyable. We aim to provide a rich play-based curriculum. We believe that children learn best when they are active and teachers provide opportunities for learning, discovery and exploration both inside and outside. We aim to provide a secure and stimulating environment where everybody’s achievements and contributions are valued in an atmosphere of praise and encouragement.

We use the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework to support planning. There are 7 areas of learning; social and emotional development, physical development, communication and language, literacy, mathematics, understanding the world and expressive arts and design. Planning is on an annual cycle of topics with input from children, so that each year topics are personalised to reflect the children in each class. We use the Read, Write, Inc. programme to support the teaching of reading and writing.

We try to bring the Early Years curriculum to life by planning memorable experiences, taking learning outside, making learning active and developing teamwork. Where possible teachers explain links between maths learning in school and real-life maths.

The Early Years Foundation Stage is a framework for children’s development from birth to the end of the Reception year.

Overarching principles

Four guiding principles should shape practice in early years settings. These are:

• every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured

• children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships

• children learn and develop well in enabling environments with teaching and support from adults, who respond to their individual interests and needs and help them to build their learning over time. Children benefit from a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and/or carers.

• importance of learning and development. Children develop and learn at different rates.

The framework covers the education and care of all children in early years provision, including children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The areas of learning and development

 There are seven areas of learning and development that must shape educational programmes in early years settings. All areas of learning and development are important and inter-connected.

Three areas are particularly important for building a foundation for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, forming relationships and thriving.

These are the prime areas:

• communication and language

• physical development

• personal, social and emotional development

The framework states that providers must also support children in four specific areas, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied. The specific areas are:

• literacy

• mathematics

• understanding the world

• expressive arts and design

Children learn in a variety of ways: watching others, talking, asking questions, listening, exploring and investigating.

Play is the foundation of development and learning for young children and your child will continue to take part in many indoor and outdoor play experiences that will help them to learn and have fun!

Click here for the statutory Early Years Foundation Stage Framework.     

Click here for the Development Matters  document.