Swing Gate Infant School and Nursery

Early Years Foundation Stage Unit (EYFS) 

Let the learning adventure begin.

From their very first day in school, our children are invited to share their ideas. This helps our Early Years staff build learning around the children's interests to inspire them.

Ofsted judged our Early Years Foundation Stage as a strength of the school, providing an inspirational and adventurous start to learning. Having high expectations, of even our youngest children, ensures that they make rapid progress. Through well- structured support children develop their communication, mathematics and phonics skills in a variety of engaging adult led and child initiated activities.

A key element of our Foundation Stage unit is that the children direct their own learning. Children share their ideas of what interests them, what topics they would like to pursue and what questions they would like to find out the answer to. Directing their own learning means the children are engaged and inspired from their first day in school. 

 

Overarching curriculum ambitions for the Early Years Foundation Stage:

Settle in and become a happy, active and inspired member of our community.

Read, listen to, create or retell a story to a group using words, pictures, music or writing.

Talk about healthy food choices. Work with friends to plan and create a healthy snack.

Use language confidently and clearly (to talk about what is the same and different and what do you notice) using a variety of vocabulary.

Ride a balance bike, steering and using brakes to stop. Begin to use a two wheeled pedal bike..

Write their name and other words independently (in short phrases and sentences). Forming letters correctly using an effective pencil grip.



Be a responsible risk taker. 

To use concrete objects, pictures and words flexibly to solve problems.

TTo draw / paint a picture or create a model independently (including using technology).

 

 The following links contain more information about our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum - our intent, implementation and impact.

EYFS curriculum 2023-24

Overarching curriculum ambitions milestones

 

Art Curriculum Leader sequence and progression of skills through the EYFS

Computing Curriculum Leader sequence and progression of skills through the EYFS

Design and Technology Subject Leader sequence and progression of skills through the EYFS

English Subject Leader sequence and progression of skills through the EYFS

Geography Subject Leader sequence and progression of skills through the EYFS

History Subject Leader sequence and progression of skills through the EYFS

Mathematics Curriculum Leader sequence and progression of skills through the EYFS

Music Curriculum Leader sequence of learning and progress through the EYFS

PE Subject Leader sequence and progression of skills through the EYFS

PSHE Curriculum Leader sequence and progression of skills through the EYFS

RE Subject Leader sequence and progression of skills through the EYFS

Science Subject Leader sequence and progression of skills through the EYFS

List of social phrases

Sand and water

A typical day in Nursery includes;

08:30  Children arrive and settle 
08:55  Phonics
09:15  Child Initiated Play (CIP)
10:30  Snack
10:45  Adult led Group Time

11:00  Stories and songs
11:30  Home time

A typical day in Reception includes;

08:35  Children arrive and settle 
08:55  Phonics
09:15  Child Initiated Play (CIP)
10:30  Snack / Assembly
10:50  Adult led Group Time
11:30  Prepare for lunch time / Story time
12:45  Afternoon register

13:00  Adult led Group Time
13:30  Child Initiated Play (CIP)
14:30  Story time / songs
15:05  Home time

Swing Gate Lane, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire HP4 2LJ

01442 863913

admin@swinggate.herts.sch.uk