Our Curriculum
EYFS Curriculum
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) begins when children start Nursery and continues through to the end of Reception. It is a hugely important stage of a child’s education, providing the foundations for future learning, development, wellbeing and success.
At Southfields Primary School, we believe that every child deserves the very best start to their education. Our Early Years curriculum is carefully designed to provide rich, varied and meaningful experiences that enthuse, engage and motivate children to become confident, curious and independent learners.
Our curriculum is built around the needs, interests and experiences of our children. We recognise that children learn best when they are actively involved, encouraged to explore and given opportunities to develop their ideas through play, conversation, investigation and first-hand experiences.
We place a strong emphasis on high-quality interactions between children and adults. Our skilled practitioners use purposeful questioning, modelling, vocabulary and sustained shared thinking to extend children’s learning and encourage them to think deeply, communicate their ideas and make connections.
Our continuous provision provides children with opportunities to revisit, practise and apply what they have learnt. Carefully selected resources and enhancements encourage children to explore, create, investigate, solve problems and develop their independence. Adults know when to step in and support learning and when to step back, allowing children the freedom to lead their own play and learning.
Within the Early Years Statutory Framework, there are seven areas of learning and development that shape our curriculum. These are divided into three Prime Areas and four Specific Areas.
The Prime Areas
The Prime Areas provide the foundations for all other learning and are particularly important for supporting children’s development, relationships and readiness to learn.
- Communication and Language – developing listening, attention, understanding, speaking and vocabulary.
- Physical Development – developing gross and fine motor skills, coordination, strength, independence and healthy lifestyles.
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development – developing relationships, self-regulation, confidence, resilience, independence and a positive sense of self.
The Specific Areas
The Specific Areas build upon the foundations established through the Prime Areas and provide children with opportunities to develop knowledge and skills across a broad and balanced curriculum.
- Literacy – developing a love of books, reading, writing, phonics and communication through print.
- Mathematics – developing a strong understanding of number, numerical patterns, shape, space and measure through meaningful experiences.
- Understanding the World – encouraging children to explore people, communities, nature, technology and the world around them.
- Expressive Arts and Design – developing creativity, imagination and self-expression through art, music, movement, role play, design and performance.
Children benefit from meaningful learning experiences across all seven areas of the EYFS, helping them make connections in their learning and understand the wider world.
At Southfields, we create a nurturing, safe and caring environment where every child feels valued and develops a strong sense of belonging and self-worth.
Through play, exploration and guided learning, we nurture children’s curiosity, confidence and independence, building strong foundations for lifelong learning.
At the end of the Reception year, learning is formally assessed against the Early Learning Goals. Please click on the link below to read the EYFS statutory framework.
