In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) setting at Woodridge Primary School we believe that all children are entitled to the best possible start in their school life, both intellectually and emotionally, in order to enable them to develop their full potential.

We aim to support each child’s welfare, learning and developmental needs by:

• Recognising that all children are unique and special.
• Understanding that children develop in individual ways and at varying rates - physically, cognitively, linguistically, socially and emotionally.
• Providing a safe, secure and caring environment where children feel happy and know that they are valued by the practitioners looking after them.
• Fostering and nurturing children’s self-confidence and self-esteem through their developing awareness of their own identity and role within the community.
• Teaching them to express and communicate their needs and feelings in appropriate ways.
• Encouraging children’s independence and decision-making, supporting them to learn through their mistakes.
• Developing children’s understanding of social skills and the values and codes of behaviour required for people to work together harmoniously.
• Supporting children to develop care, respect and appreciation for others, including those with beliefs, cultures and opinions different to their own.
• Understanding the importance of play in children’s learning and development.
• Providing learning experiences in play which reflect children’s personal interests and areas of curiosity in order to encourage and develop their natural desire, interest, excitement and motivation to learn.
• Providing experiences which build on children’s existing knowledge and understanding in order to challenge, stimulate and extend their learning and development.
• Providing effective learning opportunities in a range of environments, inside and outside.

Teaching in the EYFS setting at Woodridge Primary School is delivered in accordance with the government’s statutory document 'The Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage’ (September 2021).

Throughout the year the main EYFS assessment method is through practitioners’ observations of children in different teaching and learning contexts, including both adult focused activities and child initiated play. Observations and data is recorded within the TAPESTRY program, used to track and monitor the children's achievement and progress. TAPESTRY is also shared and used interactively with parents. 

EYFS Leader - Mrs Nichola Wheatcroft