Every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to fulfil their potential. Children develop quickly in the early years and a child’s experiences between birth and age five have a major impact on their future life chances. A secure, safe and happy childhood is important in its own right. Good parenting and high quality early learning together provide the foundation children need to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow up.

We follow the Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage (DfE March 2015). This sets the standards that all early years providers must meet to ensure that children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. It promotes teaching and learning to ensure children’s ‘school readiness’ and gives children the broad range of knowledge and skills that provide the right foundation for good future progress through school and life. 

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 crucial for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive. These three areas, the prime areas, are: communication and language, physical development and personal, social and emotional development.

Providers must also support children in four specific areas, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied. The specific areas are: literacy (we follow the Letters and Sounds phonics programme), mathematics, understanding the world and expressive arts and design.

The last year of the foundation stage is often described as the reception year, since most children are admitted to the reception class of an infant or primary school at some point during that year.  At Great Sampford the EYFS Class is taught by Mrs Armstrong who is supported by Mrs Hale. 

The Early Years Foundation Stage Booklet, which you can download from the link below, contains information about starting school at Great Sampford Primary School and the Foundation Stage curriculum.