Welcome to Early Years

We welcome children into our early years from the age of 2. We offer a calm and homely environment for the children to explore and learn. We have dedicated provision for our 2 year old children offering a 1:5 ratio. Our children then move into our main nursery  from the term after their 3rd birthday. Our nursery and reception classrooms both have free-flow access to outdoor provision. 

Intent

At Chopwell Primary School, our Early Years provision is designed to provide a safe, stimulating, and nurturing environment where children flourish through a balance of play and purposeful learning. Our intent is to:

• Foster a love of learning and natural curiosity through hands-on, practical experiences.
• Support children’s personal development by building confidence, independence, and self-esteem.
• Promote high aspirations by introducing children to the possibilities of the world around them.
• Instill a strong sense of community and pride in their local environment.
• Broaden children’s horizons by introducing them to the culture beyond Chopwell.
• Encourage children to be inquisitive learners who ask questions and challenge the status quo through enquiry-based learning.

We are committed to giving every child the best possible start to their school journey, equipping them with the foundational skills for lifelong learning and well-being.

Implementation

Our Early Years curriculum follows the statutory Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, covering 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

We embed the Characteristics of Effective Learning throughout all areas:

• Playing and Exploring – engagement and curiosity
• Active Learning – motivation and perseverance
• Creating and Thinking Critically – independence and problem-solving

Key features of our implementation include:

• Child-Centred Planning: Topics are based on children’s interests and developmental needs, ensuring relevance and engagement.
• Plan-Do-Review Cycle: Children are supported in making choices, planning their activities, and reflecting on their learning.
• Outdoor Learning: Children have free-flow access to a rich outdoor environment that promotes exploration, physical development, and problem-solving.
• Kagan Collaborative Structures: These are used to promote teamwork, communication, and active participation in learning.
• Oracy Development: We prioritise speaking and listening skills, encouraging children to express themselves clearly and confidently.
• Observational Assessment: Staff use ongoing observations to assess progress and plan next steps tailored to each child’s needs.
• Parental Partnership: We work closely with parents and carers, recognising them as a child’s first educators and vital partners in their development.

Impact

By the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage, children at Chopwell Primary School will:

• Be confident, curious, and enthusiastic learners ready for the next stage of their education.
• Demonstrate strong communication and social skills, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Show pride in themselves and their community, with an awareness of the wider world and its cultures.
• Be resilient, reflective, and capable of making informed choices in their learning.
• Meet or exceed the Early Learning Goals across the seven areas of learning.
• Have developed a strong foundation in the Characteristics of Effective Learning, setting them up for future academic and personal success.