Early Years Foundation Stage
At Hamsey Green Primary School, our Early Years Foundation Stage (Reception) provides a welcoming, inclusive, engaging and challenging environment. Building on the superb practice from our Acorns Nursery, we create an environment that reflects real life situations of awe and wonder to ensure pupils settle and
The exciting topics we use to teach the early learning goals are relevant, changeable and inspiring for our cohorts. Through a self-selective, discovery-based environment our children are set up to excel and thrive. Our Reception classes are based in 'The Nest', a purposed built area which is relaxed and nurturing with spacious, bright and open classrooms where our children feel safe and secure. Both classes have access to a secure outdoor area with a bug hotel, climbing equipment, allotment, and an artificial grassed road! The children also have access to their Outdoor Learning Lodge, and woodland area.
The children in EYFS work on a 1:1 or in small groups, giving time to work on specific targets to ensure they make the best progress possible from their point of learning. We embrace their individuality and use the children’s differences to learn more about people, communities and the world around us.
In the Foundation Stage, learning is organised into seven areas (three prime areas and four specific areas):
- Prime 1 - Personal, social and emotional development
- Prime 2 – Communication and language
- Prime 3 - Physical development
- Specific 1 - Literacy
- Specific 2 - Mathematics
- Specific 3 - Understanding of the world
- Specific 4 – Expressive arts and design
Our youngest children work towards ‘Early Learning Goals‛ in each of these areas. They are assessed against these goals by the teacher on entry and again at the end of their first year in school and the parents and children are involved throughout the year in setting appropriate targets to ensure their continued progress. Reception Class children work on many activities through the day, some adult directed, some independent. They have a daily English lesson and Mathematics lesson to prepare them for the next stage. Much of the learning takes place outside.
Our relationship begins from the moment you receive a place at Hamsey Green. We will welcome you to many events across the year, starting with our information evening in the summer term, before your child begins school. The children are invited to an afternoon taster session to support their transition into Reception. During this time, our dedicated Reception team, engage the children and parents on our secure class communication platform- Class Dojo. Here you will find the staff sharing stories and top tips. In the Summer Term, we also aim to carry out home visits that are hugely beneficial for all to build a relationship and address any concerns or questions. Throughout the year we have two parents’ evenings and many opportunities for you to celebrate your child's learning, as well as live in class workshops to support you with how we learn our handwriting, reading and phonics.
We use Class Dojo to share any learning observations and communicate with parents what the children will be learning. This keeps our parents in the loop and engaged with the current learning so you can mirror and deepen their understanding at home if you wish. Our open door policy will keep you well-informed on your child’s settling in, progress and everything in between.
Children in EYFS are assessed regularly throughout the year and are assessed at the end of Reception against the Early Learning Goals. We aim for all of our children to make a good level of development no matter where their journey began with us. Most importantly, we aim for our children to demonstrate our school values, be kind and learn for life.'