Early Years Foundation Stage

Our Vision

At Whitegate C/E Primary our aim is to ensure that every child has the best possible start in life and support that enables them to achieve their God given potential. At Whitegate we provide a safe and stimulating learning environment where children can grow into confident, independent, and enthusiastic learners.

We believe it is vital for school and parents and carers to work closely together to help children get the best out of their education. In Reception, we work with our parents and carers effectively to encourage independent, happy learners who thrive in school.

At Whitegate we believe that a successful EYFS year is fundamental for future success. We work hard to ensure that our young children have the foundations they need for their future learning and life. Our EYFS curriculum is designed to give children a broad range of knowledge and skills and prepare them for life in all its fullness.

Learning in the EYFS is split into Prime and Specific areas.  The prime areas are important because they lay the foundations for children’s success in all other areas of learning and of life.  The specific areas provide the range of experiences and opportunities for children to broaden their knowledge and skills:

The Prime Areas of learning are:

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development;
• Communication and Language;
• Physical Development.

The Specific Areas of learning are:

• Literacy;
• Mathematics;
• Understanding the World;
• Expressive Arts and Design.

We deliver the Curriculum through a child-centred approach. We provide a wide range of activities based on children’s interests, alongside adult initiated topics. Through these, our children have the opportunity to explore, learn and grow. Some aspects of learning are taught directly whilst other skills are learnt through play. There is a balance of adult led and child-initiated learning. In EYFS we provide lots of fun and engaging learning activities which help develop a lifelong love of learning.

At our school we place a high focus on reading, writing and maths. We aim to give children the building blocks they need so they can leave Reception as confident, independent learners ready for Year 1.

At the end of the Reception year, pupils are benchmarked against the Early Learning Goals for each area.  Attainment is described as either: expected (working at the expected level) or emerging  (not yet meeting the expected level) and these are communicated to parents in an end of year written report. A copy of the Early Learning Goals are available in the 'Files to Download' section at the bottom of this webpage. 

Comments from Ofsted July 2019

'Strong relationships between staff draw together the vast knowledge and experience available to support strong teaching and learning. The classroom is bright and stimulating, promoting the development of early reading, writing and mathematics well.' (Ofsted, July 2019.)

'Staff use carefully crafted and probing questioning and a wide range of experiences to assess and broaden children’s knowledge.' (Ofsted, July 2019.)

'Staff intervene swiftly to address misconceptions, enabling children to develop their understanding further. Teaching assistants contribute to children’s learning activities well and help them to make good progress over time.' (Ofsted, July 2019.)

Files to Download