Early Years Foundation Stage
At Bolton-le-Sands, we know how important the Early Years Foundation Stage is in helping children build strong foundations for future learning and development. We want every child to feel safe, happy and valued as they begin their school journey.
In Reception, we provide a nurturing, stimulating and inclusive environment where children are encouraged to explore, ask questions, develop independence and grow in confidence. Through a rich and varied curriculum, children learn through play, practical experiences, stories, discussion, direct teaching and carefully planned provision.
We aim to support every aspect of children’s development, including their social, emotional, physical and intellectual growth. Most importantly, we want children to develop curiosity, resilience and a love of learning that will stay with them as they move through school.
Below, you can explore each area of our EYFS curriculum. Click on each section to find out more about how we support your child’s learning and development in Reception.
Communication and Language
Communication and Language underpins all learning in our Reception classroom. We place a strong emphasis on high-quality interactions, giving children many opportunities for meaningful conversations throughout the day, including through play in provision, whole-class discussions and 1:1 conversations with adults.
Our curriculum is underpinned by carefully chosen texts, with key texts planned for each week. Through stories, songs, rhymes, role play, worship and daily discussions, children are supported to listen carefully, ask questions, share their ideas, develop new vocabulary and express themselves with confidence.
Physical Development
Physical development is an important part of children’s learning in Reception. Children develop their gross motor skills through continuous provision, outdoor play and PE sessions twice a week, led by teachers and specialist coaches. These sessions help children develop fundamental movement skills and experience a range of equipment and apparatus.
Children build strength, balance, coordination and confidence through activities such as running, climbing, jumping, dancing and balancing. They are also introduced to Bikeability, progressing from balance bikes towards pedal bikes, and in the summer term have the opportunity to complete a five-week block of swimming at Carnforth Swimming Pool.
Fine motor skills are developed through morning activities and provision, including drawing, cutting, threading, construction, playdough and mark making. These experiences strengthen children’s hands and fingers, supporting their independence and readiness for writing.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Personal, Social and Emotional Development is central to helping children feel safe, happy and ready to learn. In Reception, we support children to understand themselves and others, recognise their feelings and begin to manage their emotions in a positive way.
We use The Colour Monster and the Zones of Regulation to help children talk about how they are feeling and develop a shared language for emotions, which continues throughout school. Children build strong relationships with adults who know them well and support them to develop confidence, perseverance and a positive sense of self.
Through play, routines and carefully supported interactions, children learn to build friendships, take turns, share, listen to others and resolve conflicts. These experiences help children become confident, caring members of the class community.
Literacy
Literacy in Reception helps children develop a love of reading and writing. We promote a love of reading through regular opportunities to share and enjoy stories together. Our literacy curriculum is underpinned by carefully chosen texts, with a key text planned for each week to support learning across the curriculum.
We teach phonics daily using Monster Phonics, helping children develop the skills they need to become confident early readers and writers. Children take home reading books that are carefully matched to their phonics learning, allowing them to practise and apply their skills at home.
Children have regular opportunities to write through adult-led activities and meaningful experiences within provision, such as writing letters, cards, labels, shopping lists, menus and messages in role play. Mark making, drawing, spelling, handwriting and sentence writing are carefully supported as children grow in confidence and independence.
Mathematics
Mathematics in Reception is taught through practical, hands-on learning, helping children develop strong foundations and a secure understanding of number. We follow the White Rose Maths order of teaching, building knowledge carefully over time so children are well prepared for the next stage of their learning.
Children use a range of concrete resources and manipulatives, such as counters, ten frames, cubes, Numicon, number tracks, shapes and measuring equipment. These resources help children see, explore and explain mathematical ideas in a meaningful way.
Children develop their mathematical knowledge through both formal teaching and carefully planned provision. Within provision, they can access maths resources independently, allowing them to explore number, shape, space and measure through play. Through songs, games, stories and practical problem solving, children are encouraged to notice patterns, compare quantities and talk about their thinking.
Understanding the World
Understanding the World helps children make sense of the people, places and communities around them. In Reception, children develop their knowledge through direct teaching and opportunities to revisit and practise learning through provision. This area provides important foundations for subjects such as science, history, geography and RE.
Children explore the world through fiction and non-fiction texts, discussions, observations, maps and hands-on experiences. These opportunities introduce new and unfamiliar vocabulary and help children talk about what they notice, think and wonder. Children begin to understand past and present by talking about their own families and experiences, creating simple timelines and exploring how familiar places, such as our village, have changed over time.
They also explore the natural world by observing seasonal changes, plants, animals, materials and simple changes in state. Children learn about different cultures, festivals, religions, communities and parts of the world, helping them develop curiosity, respect and understanding. Local experiences, such as village walks, visits to the fire station and visits from people who help us, enrich their learning.
RE is taught discretely using Questful RE, supporting children to develop an early understanding of religion, beliefs and worldviews through practical, creative and discussion-based lessons.
Expressive Arts and Design
Expressive Arts and Design gives children the opportunity to be creative, imaginative and expressive. In Reception, children have daily opportunities to explore and express themselves through resources available in continuous provision, including art tools and materials, construction resources, junk modelling, musical instruments and role play.
Children experiment with colour, texture, shape, sound and movement as they develop their own ideas and creations. Through drawing, painting, making, building, singing, music, dance, storytelling and imaginative play, children build confidence and creativity.
We encourage children to share their creations with adults and peers, helping them talk about their ideas, explain their choices and celebrate their achievements. This also supports vocabulary development as children learn new words linked to materials, tools, techniques, music and imaginative play.
Characteristics of Effective Learning
Alongside the seven areas of learning, we also value the Characteristics of Effective Learning. These describe how young children learn best and underpin our approach to teaching, learning and provision in Reception.
Playing and Exploring
Children are encouraged to be curious, investigate, explore new experiences and “have a go”. Through carefully planned provision and adult support, children learn to make choices, follow their interests, try new things and develop confidence as learners.
Active Learning
Children are supported to concentrate, keep trying when things are tricky and take pride in their achievements. Adults help children to build resilience, independence and perseverance, encouraging them to understand that making mistakes and trying again are important parts of learning.
Creating and Thinking Critically
Children are encouraged to develop their own ideas, make links in their learning and find different ways to solve problems. Through play, discussion and practical experiences, children learn to think creatively, explain their ideas and develop strategies for doing things.
These characteristics help children develop positive attitudes to learning, giving them the confidence, curiosity and resilience they need as they move through school.
