EYFS 

Our Early Years team is comprised of dedicated educators with a wealth of experience in working with children. Collectively, we bring a mix of fresh perspectives and deep-rooted expertise to our teaching approach. Each member of our team is passionate about nurturing the growth and development of young learners, fostering a supportive and enriching learning environment.Individually, we possess varied backgrounds in early years education, providing a diverse range of teaching methodologies to cater to the unique needs of each child. Our team members are committed to creating engaging and interactive learning experiences that promote creativity, curiosity, and a love for learning in our students. Rest assured, your child will be in capable hands with our experienced and dedicated Early Years team.

EYFS Vision Statement and Intent 

At Skelmanthorpe Academy, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum is designed with a clear intent to provide a holistic and child-centred approach to early education. The school's leadership and staff understand the importance of laying a robust foundation for lifelong learning and development during a child's formative years. The intent is to create a stimulating, safe, and nurturing environment where children can explore, discover, and learn through play, social interaction, and structured activities.

The EYFS curriculum is carefully planned and sequenced to ensure that it covers all areas of learning and development outlined in the EYFS framework. The intent is to promote the prime areas of learning (communication and language, physical development, personal, social and emotional development) alongside the specific areas (Literacy, Maths, Understanding the World, Expressive Arts, and Design). The curriculum is inclusive, responsive to individual needs, and promotes equality of opportunity for all children.

Phonics and Reading

Teaching phonics, especially through the Little Wandle programme, is crucial in early education, particularly in Reception. Phonics is the method of teaching children to read and write by breaking down words into their smallest sounds, known as phonemes. By teaching phonics, children develop the essential skills required to decode words independently, increasing their reading fluency and comprehension abilities. The Little Wandle programme, aligned with the 2014 National Curriculum in England, provides a structured approach to phonics instruction, ensuring consistency and progression in learning. Through systematic phonics teaching, children are empowered to become confident readers and writers, setting a strong foundation for their academic success. As educators, it is imperative to utilise effective phonics programmes like Little Wandle to support young learners in acquiring vital literacy skills from an early age.

Indoor Provision 

In our Early Years setting, indoor provision plays a crucial role in fostering children's holistic development following the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework. Various areas within the indoor environment, such as the creative area, playdough station, role play corner, small world area, construction zone, and reading corner, offer unique opportunities for children to explore, create, and learn through play.

The creative area encourages artistic expression, fine motor skills, and imagination. Engaging with playdough develops sensory exploration, hand-eye coordination, and creativity. Role play activities support social skills, communication, and understanding of the world. Small world play enhances language development, problem-solving abilities, and storytelling skills. Construction play fosters spatial awareness, problem-solving, and collaboration. Lastly, the reading corner cultivates a love for literacy, vocabulary expansion, and listening comprehension.

By providing access to these diverse indoor provision areas, we can facilitate the achievement of the Early Learning Goals (ELGs) outlined in the EYFS Framework. Children are given the opportunity to develop across all areas of learning, including communication and language, physical development, personal, social and emotional development, literacy, mathematics, understanding the world, and expressive arts and design. Ultimately, the carefully designed indoor provision positively impacts pupils' development by nurturing their cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills in a stimulating and supportive environment.

Outdoor Provision 

Outdoor provision plays a crucial role in children's learning and development, aligning with the areas outlined in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework in England. Areas such as sand and water play offer opportunities for sensory exploration and development of fine motor skills. The mud kitchen nurtures imaginative play and enhances communication and language skills. Riding bikes and scooters promotes physical development and coordination. Bug hotels and digging areas encourage scientific exploration and understanding of the natural world. Engaging with large construction materials fosters creativity and problem-solving abilities. These diverse outdoor areas support the Early Learning Goals (ELGs) by enhancing children's physical health, communication, social interactions, and cognitive development, creating well-rounded learners ready for future educational challenges.

Forest School 

Forest School is an innovative educational approach that takes place in natural environments to support holistic development in children. The immersive outdoor experiences offered by Skelmanthorpe have numerous benefits and effects on pupils' overall well-being and learning journey.

The physical domain is enhanced as children engage in physical activities such as climbing trees, building shelters, and navigating challenging terrains. This development in physical skills correlates directly with the Early Learning Goals (ELGs) in the area of Physical Development.

Furthermore, the emotional and social aspects of children are nurtured  through opportunities to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, and build resilience in unfamiliar environments. These experiences align with the ELGs in Personal, Social, and Emotional Development.

At Skelmanthorpe Academy, we provide a rich tapestry of experiences that cater to various areas of development, ultimately supporting pupils in achieving their full potential across the different ELGs.

EYFS Documents 

EYFS Statutory Framework

EYFS - Development Matters

Medium Term Planning

Autumn 1 

Autumn 2

Phonics and Reading

Little Wandle Phonics and Early Reading Policy

Little Wandle Progression Overview

Reception Phase 2 

Reading Corner 

Role Play Area 

Mark Making Area 

Maths Area

Construction Area 

Small World Area

Music Area 

Playdough Area

Sand Area

Water Area

Painting Area