“No job is more important than working with children in the early years.” Development Matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage, 2020
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) applies to children from birth to the end of their Reception year. Timothy Hackworth Primary School’s Foundation Stage accommodates children from the age of 2. We have a 16 place 2 Year Old Provision, a 52 place Nursery and two Reception classes.
We aim:
- to give each child a happy and positive start to their school life in which they can create and nurture their love of learning, develop an enthusiasm for knowledge, and a self-confidence in their ability to be resilient and successful learners;
- to offer a broad and balanced ambitious curriculum, coherently planned and sequenced to build on what children know and can do, providing them with the knowledge and skills they require to prepare them for their next stage in their education;
- to enrich children’s experiences by offering new and exciting opportunities, to experience awe and wonder, and to enhance their play and learning with a variety of resources, visits, and interactions with people from their community and beyond;
- to give children the foundations for future learning by developing and expanding their communication and language skills, in particular, their acquisition of vocabulary and a secure knowledge of phonics;
- to enable each child to develop socially, physically, emotionally, intellectually, morally, culturally, and spiritually, to be the best that they can be;
- to encourage children to develop independence within a supportive and challenging environment;
- to support children in building relationships so they may develop a respect for themselves, others in school, the community, and the wider world;
- to work alongside parents and carers, supporting learning at home, to meet each child’s individual needs to ensure that they reach their full potential.
Cultural Capital
At Timothy Hackworth Primary School, we endeavour to develop children’s dispositions and attitudes about themselves, their community, and the wider world, to be good citizens who will make a positive difference. In the Early Years, we aim to broaden children’s experiences and equip them with the cultural capital they deserve. We have a curriculum rich with everyday experiences, visits, and visitors. We want children to know their community, the people who help them, their history and their cultural heritage.
“When we succeed in giving every child the best start in their early years, we give them what they need today. We also set them up with every chance of success tomorrow.” Development Matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage, 2020
Parent Partnerships
We recognise that parents are the children’s first and most enduring educators, and that children learn and develop well when there is a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and carers. All staff in Early Years aim to develop excellent relationships with parents and carers, interacting positively, respectfully, and taking the time to listen to them.
Each child is assigned a key person who helps to ensure that their learning and care is tailored to meet their needs. The key person supports parents and carers in guiding their child’s development at home. The key person also helps families to engage with more specialist support, if appropriate.
Parents and carers are kept up to date with their child’s progress and development. The 2 Year Old Progress Check and the EYFS Profile, at the end of Reception, helps staff to provide parents and carers with a holistic picture of their child’s knowledge, understanding, ability and achievement.
Parents are encouraged and invited to:
- talk to staff about their child before they start school;
- discuss any concerns with staff;
- attend regular progress meetings to discuss their child’s achievements and next steps;
- communicate through reading diaries and the Home School Book;
- communicate and share achievements through the Class Dojo system.
Information for parents is provided through regular newsletters, text messages, and the school website.
Rights Respecting in Early Years
The ‘Convention on the Rights of the Child’ is an agreement written by the member countries of the United Nations about the rights of children and young people. It is often referred to as the ‘CRC’.
The CRC lists over 40 rights belonging to children and young people called ‘Articles’, including, the right to a good quality education (Article 28) and the right to play, rest and leisure (Article 31).
View our approach to Rights Respecting in Early Years by clicking the document below:
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