Curriculum
Our Early Years Curriculum
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the curriculum framework that supports children from birth to the end of Reception. It provides the foundations for children's learning and development, while ensuring that every child is given the opportunity to feel safe, happy, valued and ready to learn.
At Daresbury Primary School, we believe that every child is unique. Our Early Years curriculum is designed to nurture curiosity, confidence, independence and a love of learning, whilst providing children with the knowledge, skills and experiences they need to thrive.
Phonics, Literacy and Mathematics are taught daily, alongside a broad and balanced Early Years curriculum. Throughout the week, children develop their knowledge and skills across all seven areas of learning through a combination of adult-led teaching, small-group experiences and carefully planned indoor and outdoor provision. Children are given time to practise, apply and extend their learning through play, exploration and meaningful experiences, allowing them to make connections between different areas of their learning.
The Seven Areas of Learning
The Prime and Specific Areas:
Communication & Language
Your focus on talk, vocabulary, stories and listening.
Literacy & Early Reading
Phonics, reading, stories, writing and developing a love of books.
Mathematics
Developing number sense and mathematical thinking through practical experiences and play.
Understanding the World
Exploring people, places, nature, communities and the wider world.
Expressive Arts & Design
Creativity, music, role play, art, imagination and children developing their own ideas.
Personal, Social & Emotional Development
Relationships, emotions, confidence, resilience and independence.
Physical Development
Gross and fine motor development, movement and physical confidence.
Learning Through Play
Play is at the heart of learning in our Early Years. Through play, children are able to explore, investigate, create, imagine, solve problems and make sense of the world around them.
Our carefully planned indoor and outdoor environments provide children with opportunities to follow their interests, make choices and develop their independence. Alongside this, our adults play an important role in supporting and extending learning through meaningful conversations, skilful questioning, modelling and introducing new vocabulary and ideas.
We provide a balance of child-initiated play and carefully planned adult-led experiences, ensuring that children develop both the skills they need and a growing body of knowledge about the world around them.
We believe that when children are happy, engaged and curious, they are ready to learn, discover and thrive.
Learning Outdoors
Our outdoor provision is an important part of our Early Years curriculum. It gives children the opportunity to explore, investigate and learn from the world around them in a different environment.
Through outdoor learning, children experience the changing seasons and weather, discover nature, develop their physical skills and learn how to care for and respect our environment. They are encouraged to take risks, solve problems, work together and follow their own interests, while continuing to develop and apply the knowledge and skills they have learned in the classroom.
We believe that every day brings new opportunities to explore, discover and learn outdoors.
Developing Independent Learners
From the very beginning of Reception, we encourage children to become confident, curious and independent learners. We provide opportunities for children to make choices, have a go for themselves, persevere when something feels tricky and celebrate their own successes.
We also help children to develop the practical skills they need to become increasingly independent in their everyday lives. This includes learning to put on their own shoes, zip up their coats, manage their belongings, look after themselves and keep themselves
safe. Children are encouraged to have a go before asking for help, building their confidence and resilience along the way.
Our Daresbury Learning Behaviours are at the heart of our everyday learning. Children are encouraged to show curiosity, be independent, collaborate with others, actively listen and reflect on their learning. They learn how to work safely alongside one another, share resources, take turns, listen to others' ideas and solve problems together.
We want our children to develop the confidence and resilience to think for themselves, have a go and never be afraid to try something new.
Inclusion – Every Child Matters
At Daresbury Primary School, we believe that every child is unique, valued and capable of achieving great things. We take the time to get to know each child as an individual, celebrating their strengths, interests and achievements.
We carefully adapt our curriculum, environment and teaching to ensure that every child can access learning, participate fully and experience success. We provide the right support and encouragement for each child, helping them to develop confidence, independence and a positive attitude towards learning.
We work closely with families and, where appropriate, other professionals to understand each child's needs and ensure that they are included, supported and given every opportunity to thrive.
Our aim is simple: every child feels that they belong, that they are listened to and that they can succeed.
Working in Partnership with Families
We believe that working together with parents and carers is an important part of helping every child thrive. The learning that takes place at school is strengthened when children have opportunities to practise and apply their knowledge and skills at home.
There are many simple ways you can support your child's learning every day. Reading together, talking about stories, practising sounds and letters, counting, exploring numbers and encouraging your child to write are all valuable ways to reinforce their learning.
We also encourage families to support children in developing their independence by giving them time to have a go for themselves. Simple tasks such as putting on their shoes and coat, getting dressed, tidying away their belongings, helping with jobs around the home and making choices all help to build confidence and important life skills.
Most importantly, talk, play, read and have fun together. Everyday experiences provide wonderful opportunities for children to develop their language, knowledge, curiosity and understanding of the world.
By working together, we can ensure that children are supported to build on what they learn at school, develop a love of learning and grow into confident, capable and independent learners.
The Next Step in Their Learning Journey
Reception is just the beginning of a child's exciting school journey. Throughout the year, we nurture children's confidence, curiosity, independence and love of learning, helping them to develop the knowledge, skills and positive attitudes they need to continue to flourish.
We celebrate every child's individual progress and achievements, recognising that every child develops in their own unique way and at their own pace.
As the children move forward, we want them to feel proud of how far they have come and excited about what comes next. Our aim is to give every child the confidence, resilience and enthusiasm to embrace the next chapter of their learning journey, knowing that they are valued, capable and ready to discover what they can achieve.
