EYFS at Cardinham School

Our Team

• Mrs Anstis - Class Teacher (Tuesday to Friday)
• Mrs Purser - Class Teacher (Monday)
• Mrs Smith - EYFS Support Staff

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Welcome to EYFS at Cardinham School

At Cardinham School, we believe that the Early Years Foundation Stage is a crucial and exciting time in every child's educational journey. We are committed to providing a high-quality, nurturing education that inspires children to become confident, enthusiastic and lifelong learners from the very beginning.

Through high-quality teaching and provision, our dedicated EYFS team supports each child to thrive and reach their full potential. We understand that positive, trusting relationships are at the heart of successful learning and development, and we work hard to ensure every child feels safe, valued and supported.

Our staff take time to observe, listen to and respond thoughtfully to each child, recognising and celebrating their individual interests, strengths and experiences. We encourage children to take an active role in their learning through meaningful opportunities to explore, investigate, create and reflect. Through skilful questioning, positive interactions, modelling and giving children time to think and respond, we develop confidence, curiosity, resilience and independence.

Children's early years experiences should be happy, active, exciting, fun and secure. We recognise that every child deserves the very best start in life and the support that enables them to fulfil their potential. The experiences children have before the age of five play a significant role in shaping their future learning and development.

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Our Learning Environment

The environment in which your child learns is safe, calm, inclusive and stimulating. It promotes independence, problem-solving, creativity and challenge, while encouraging children to take positive risks and flourish across all areas of development.

Careful planning ensures that learning experiences meet the needs of every child, enabling them to make excellent progress and achieve their best. We aim to provide engaging and inspiring opportunities that capture children's interests and encourage deep involvement in learning. We believe that every moment can become a valuable learning opportunity.

In our EYFS classroom, learning is largely shaped by the interests of the children. High-quality texts, stories and children's fascinations act as our starting points for learning. Throughout the year, we develop flexible topic plans that reflect:

• The interests and needs of the current cohort
• Seasonal changes and celebrations
• Significant local, national and global events
• Opportunities within our local community and environment
• Children's personal experiences and cultural backgrounds

This approach ensures learning is meaningful, engaging and relevant to every child.

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The EYFS Curriculum

The Early Years Foundation Stage Framework sets the standards for learning, development and care for children from birth to five years old.

Children learn skills, acquire new knowledge and demonstrate their understanding through seven areas of learning and development.

The Prime Areas

The three Prime Areas form the foundation for children's learning and development:

Communication and Language

• Listening, Attention and Understanding
• Speaking

Physical Development

• Gross Motor Skills
• Fine Motor Skills

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

• Self-Regulation
• Managing Self
• Building Relationships

These areas are essential for children's healthy development and future learning.

The Specific Areas

As children grow in confidence and capability within the Prime Areas, they develop skills in four Specific Areas:

Literacy

• Comprehension
• Word Reading
• Writing

Mathematics

• Number
• Numerical Patterns

Understanding the World

• Past and Present
• People, Culture and Communities
• The Natural World

Expressive Arts and Design

• Creating with Materials
• Being Imaginative and Expressive

All seven areas of learning are carefully planned for and taught through a combination of child-initiated play, exploration and purposeful adult-led activities. Our practitioners ensure that activities are tailored to each child's individual needs, interests and stage of development.

By securing these vital early foundations in communication, physical development, personal development, early reading, writing and mathematics, children are well equipped to succeed across all areas of the curriculum and continue their learning journey with confidence.

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Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning

The emphasis on how children learn has huge potential to transform early years practice and empower children as confident, creative lifelong learners. Research demonstrates that these characteristics can be supported or hindered by the experiences children encounter. In high-quality EYFS provision, children are encouraged to follow their interests, make independent choices about their learning and are supported to develop their thinking skills through skilful adult interactions.

The characteristics are interconnected but each has distinct features:

Playing and Exploring

Children investigate, experience things first-hand and have a go.

Active Learning

Children concentrate, persevere when they encounter challenges and enjoy their achievements.

Creating and Thinking Critically

Children develop their own ideas, make links between experiences and choose ways to achieve their goals.

Our ShREC Approach

At Cardinham School, we use the ShREC approach (Share, Respond, Expand and Challenge) to underpin our interactions with children. We believe that nothing is left to chance when developing children's communication, language and thinking skills.

Through ShREC, adults:

• Share children's focus of attention and interests.
• Respond thoughtfully to children's ideas, actions and communication.
• Expand children's language, vocabulary and understanding.
• Challenge children's thinking through skilful questioning and discussion.

Every interaction is viewed as a valuable opportunity to support learning. By intentionally planning for high-quality adult-child conversations throughout the day, we help children become confident communicators, resilient learners and reflective thinkers. Through this approach, children develop the language, knowledge and confidence needed to thrive both in Reception and beyond.

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Assessment in EYFS

Assessment in the Early Years Foundation Stage is an ongoing process that is closely linked to children's everyday learning and development. At Cardinham School, we believe children demonstrate their learning most effectively when they are engaged in meaningful play, exploration and real-life experiences.

Our staff assess children through:

• Careful observations during play and learning
• Meaningful conversations with children
• High-quality adult-child interactions
• Adult-led and child-initiated activities
• Discussions with parents and carers
• Examples of children's work and achievements
• Information shared from previous settings and other professionals where appropriate

Assessment is not separate from learning. Instead, it forms part of our daily practice and helps us identify children's strengths, interests and next steps. Staff use these observations to carefully plan learning experiences that provide opportunities for children to practise, revisit and apply previously taught skills.

We create purposeful activities and learning opportunities that enable children to demonstrate what they know, understand and can do. These opportunities allow adults to assess children's progress while ensuring learning remains meaningful, enjoyable and engaging.

Through continual observation, interaction and responsive teaching, we ensure that every child receives the appropriate support and challenge needed to make excellent progress throughout their Reception year.

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Inclusive Practice and SEND

At Cardinham School, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where every child feels valued, respected and able to succeed. We recognise that children learn in different ways and may require different levels of support to achieve their full potential.

Our provision is carefully adapted to meet the individual needs of all learners. Through high-quality teaching, targeted support and effective adaptation, we ensure that every child can access learning and participate fully in school life.

Inclusive practice in EYFS includes:

• Adapting activities and learning experiences to meet individual needs
• Providing appropriate levels of support and challenge
• Using visual aids, resources and scaffolds where needed
• Creating an environment where all children feel a sense of belonging
• Working closely with parents, carers and external agencies
• Monitoring children's development carefully and responding promptly to emerging needs

We place great importance on the early identification of additional needs. Through our ongoing assessments, observations and discussions with families, we can identify barriers to learning at an early stage and provide the right support as soon as possible.

Our EYFS team works closely with the school's Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENDCo) to ensure that children with additional needs receive appropriate support and intervention. Families are fully involved throughout this process, and we value working together to achieve the best outcomes for every child.

For more information about how we support pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, please refer to the school's SEND Policy and SEND Information Report, available on our website.

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Working in Partnership with Families

We recognise the importance of strong partnerships between home and school and value the significant role parents and carers play in their child's development.

We encourage families to share observations, achievements and experiences from home, helping us to build a complete picture of each child's learning journey. By working together, we can ensure every child makes the very best start to their education and is fully prepared for the transition into Year 1.

We believe that open communication between home and school is essential. By working collaboratively, we can celebrate successes, support development and ensure children feel secure, confident and ready to learn.

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Safeguarding and Wellbeing

At Cardinham School, safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. The safety, wellbeing and happiness of every child are paramount and underpin everything that we do.

We are committed to providing a safe, nurturing and supportive environment where children feel secure, respected and valued. All staff receive regular safeguarding training and follow robust procedures to ensure that children are protected and supported effectively.

We work closely with families and external agencies to promote children's welfare and ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive both academically and personally.

For further information, please visit our:

• Safeguarding page
• Attendance page
• Online Safety page

These sections of our website provide important information about how we keep children safe, support positive attendance and promote responsible and safe use of technology.

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Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework

The current EYFS Framework can be viewed here:

EYFS Statutory Framework – September 2026

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a5f8e4fb00f3323bf1a23a1/EYFS_group_and_school_based_from_September_2026.pdf

Mathematics in the EYFS

In the EYFS, we use whole class direct teaching of Maths as well as Continuous Provision linked activities each day. Number is the key priority, with an emphasis on Place Value and Counting.

EYFS Maths follows the same mastery approaches the rest of the school have: Practical, Pictorial, Abstract (this supports varied fluency) as well as promoting problem-solving and reasoning.

Research has been carried out into the 6 main areas that collectively underpin children’s early mathematical learning, and which provide the firm foundations for the Maths that children will encounter as they go up the years in primary school:

• Cardinality and Counting
• Comparison
• Composition
• Pattern
• Shape and Space
• Measures

Time is dedicated to learning a number deeply over 2 weeks up to the number 10. This will heavily support the first 4 main areas for developing children’s early Mathematics.

The emphasis on how children learn has huge potential to transform early years practice and empower children as confident, creative lifelong learners. Research demonstrates that these characteristics can either be supported or hindered by the experiences children encounter. In high-quality EYFS provision, children are encouraged to follow their interests, make independent choices about their learning and are supported to develop their thinking skills through skilful adult interactions.

The Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning are interconnected but each has distinct features:

• Playing and Exploring - children investigate, experience things first-hand and "have a go".
• Active Learning - children concentrate, persevere when they encounter challenges and enjoy their achievements.
• Creating and Thinking Critically - children develop their own ideas, make links between experiences and choose ways to achieve their goals.

At Cardinham School, we place great importance on developing these characteristics through carefully planned interactions and experiences. We use the ShREC approach (Share, Respond, Expand and Challenge) to guide our conversations with children. This evidence-informed approach ensures that high-quality communication is at the heart of teaching and learning.

Through ShREC, adults:

• Share children's focus of attention and interests.
• Respond thoughtfully to children's ideas, actions and communication.
• Expand children's language, vocabulary and understanding.
• Challenge children's thinking through skilful questioning and discussion.

We believe that nothing should be left to chance when supporting children's communication, language and thinking. Every interaction is viewed as an opportunity to extend learning, develop vocabulary and nurture curiosity. By intentionally planning for high-quality adult-child conversations throughout the day, we help children become confident communicators, reflective thinkers and successful lifelong learners.

 

Laying the Foundations of Future Learning at Cardinham School

We understand the importance for the learning within the EYFS to take into consideration the interests and needs of the children. However, we also strongly believe that it is important to ‘lay the foundations’ of future learning within the wider Curriculum at Cardinham so we have carefully considered learning points throughout the year. These cohesive, sequenced ‘laying the foundations’ plans (see below) go hand in hand with the interests of pupils to create a topic plan – an example can be seen below.