Early Years at Alfred Sutton

Early Years at Alfred Sutton Primary School comprise of two Nursery classes and three Reception classes. When children are aged 3-5 years old, they do some of their most important learning and develop the skills needed to underpin all their future understanding.

The Early Years Foundation Stage is based on four key principles:

• The Unique Child

• Positive Relationships

• Enabling Environments

• Learning and Development

Children are born with a natural desire to explore and learn and they do their deepest and most meaningful learning through play. At Alfred Sutton, children take part in a range of indoor and outdoor learning opportunities. Our environment provides opportunities for the children to develop skills, enable personal discovery, grow in confidence and practise resilience. We make sure that we develop positive relationships and the professionals teaching and supporting in Early Years ensure the available provision and activities are suited to the children’s individual and unique needs.

We are a fully inclusive school and provide individualised learning and support to help all children make progress and achieve their full potential. We encourage independence, teamwork and curiosity and celebrate each child’s individual achievements and encourage a sense of pride in them.

Early Years Foundation Curriculum

At Alfred Sutton, we are guided by the The Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (EYFS) and provide a rich and stimulating environment where the children can learn by ‘playing and exploring, active learning and creative and critical thinking.’

“The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) 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.”- EYFS Framework 2021.

Our curriculum has been carefully planned to ensure progression and to meet the needs of the children at Alfred Sutton Primary School in all 7 areas of learning. We used the EYFS framework (view framework) and Development Matters (view document) to give us a base for our learning and then considered the interests of our children and key knowledge and skills that we know are important to ensure our pupils are engaged and enjoy learning, therefore make fantastic progress.

Our curriculum allows children to develop and learn knowledge and skills in the following areas.

Please see our long-term plans for more detail about our bespoke curriculum for children at Alfred Sutton.

Information for parents

What to expect in the EYFS a guide for parents

Characteristics of Effective Learning

Reception end of year expectations

Early Learning Goals Parent and Carers Guide

Activities to Try at Home