Our Early Years Foundation Stage is based on four themes:
* A Unique Child
* Enabling Environments
* Learning and Development
* Positive Relationships
A Unique Child
At Langdale we believe that every child is different, and this is reflected in our planning, provision and assessments. A Learning Journey is kept for each child, in which we keep examples of children's written work, along with any adult observations. Each Learning Journey contains information about the type of learner that the child is and what their interests are. We aim for these LJs to be a close reflection of the child. We always hand-write and hand-produce each child's learning journey to make them more personal to each individual (you will never see a computer generated learning journey for your child in our Early Years, as computers don't know your little person as well as we do!) We also give our children lots of opportunity to view, discuss and contribute to their learning journeys. We involve children in the planning of lessons, by asking them what they would like to see in the classroom each week, and by discussing what they would like to have more practise at. Children are also given time to reflect on their own learning, and self-evaluate where they are at, and where they would like to go next.
Enabling Environments
In Reception we have lots of fun, while we learn through play!
We want your child to enjoy school, because we feel that happy children are ready to learn. We do this by creating a stimulating, fun and educational environment where children can play, explore and investigate in real life situations. We are very keen to ensure your child develops the skills to become an independent learner.
We have a 'free-flow' system, in which we encourage children to choose whether they want to learn indoors or outdoors, and are free to move between the two areas throughout the day.
Learning and Development
The Foundation Stage Framework is broken deown into three prime areas:
Personal, Social, Emotional Development
Physical Development
Communication and Language
As well as four specific areas;
Maths
Literacy
Understanding the World
Expressive Arts and Design
Characteristics of Effective Learning
Playing and exploring – engagement
Active learning – motivation
Creating and thinking critically – thinking
Positive Relationships
As your child’s first educators the role of the parent is paramount to the successful implementation of the EYFS Curriculum. We want you to be involved at every stage of your child’s learning journey, therefore we have an 'open door' policy, where you can contact one of our Recepetion team members about ANYTHING at ANYTIME! We have a number of systems in place through which you can keep up to date with your child's learning and progress...please see below, or see your information packs for more information on this.
We pride ourselves having always had lots of ways in which you can stay in touch and continue to be involved in your child's learning, including:
- A designated member of staff on the gate
- Google classroom and Evidence Me.
- 'Coffee and Catch Up' mornings in which your child can share their learning journeys with you
-Stay and play opportunities
- Biannual Parents' Evening
- Annual Written Report, sent out at the end of the academic year
Extra Information
Useful Information
School Day
Reception gates open at 8:45am for a 9:00am start. Any arrivals after 9:00am should report to the school office, as the gates will close at this time.
Passwords will be asked if anyone new is picking up your child. Our school day finishes at 3:10pm.
Should you wish to speak to a member of staff, please be aware that an appointment will need to be made for lengthier conversations, although it’s of course fine to pass over shorter messages at the gate 🙂.
Homework
We do not usually give out formal homework in Reception. Instead, we send home little activities that can be done at home, e.g. Look at house numbers on your way to school, collect some leaves and acorns at the weekend, or make a list of battery-operated equipment at home.
Reading
For the first half term children will recieve links to the sounds they have been learning in class via google classroom. They will also recieve letter practice sheets so that they can tell you what sounds they have been learning. At the end of the half term the children will be assessed and will then recieve a reading book to match their phonics knowledge. We encourage children to read to an adult at home as often as possible, and at least three times a week. We aim to listen to children read in school at least once a week.
Phonics
At the start of reception all children are taught phonics in their classroom. They will then be assessed at the end of the half term and they will be placed into phonics groups.
Mathematics
Children will complete an adult-led maths activity each week, and again, children learn and develop their mathematical understanding through play, throughout the week.
PE
PE takes place once a week, on a Friday morning. This year, children across the school are being asked to wear their PE kits to school on their PE day (Fridays in Reception).