What do we intend to achieve in EYFS?

At Laycock Primary School we construct a curriculum that is ambitious and designed to give children the knowledge, self-belief and cultural capital they need to succeed in life. Our curriculum is designed to recognise children’s prior learning, both from previous settings and their experiences at home. It builds on what children know and can do and works towards cumulatively sufficient knowledge and skills for their future learning. We work in partnership with parents, carers and other settings to provide the best possible start at Laycock Primary School, ensuring each individual reaches their full potential from their various starting points.

Our curriculum has been designed to enable children to succeed through cooperative and collaborative learning principles. As such, there is a strong emphasis on the Prime Areas of learning: Personal, Social and Emotional Development and Communication and Language, including oracy. As a team, we work extremely hard to create an indoor and outdoor learning environment that inspires the children to investigate, question and challenge themselves.

At Laycock Primary School, we recognise that oracy not only improves academic outcomes, but is a life skill to ensure success beyond school, in life and future employment. Oracy develops children’s thinking and understanding which, in turn, promotes self-confidence, resilience and empathy which supports the child’s well-being. Our enabling environments and warm, skilful adult interactions support the children as they begin to link learning to their play and exploration right from the start.

We believe that high level engagement ensures high level attainment. Therefore, we provide an engaging curriculum that maximises opportunities for meaningful cross-curricular links and learning experiences as well as promoting the unique child by offering extended periods of play and sustained thinking. We following children’s interests and ideas to foster a lifelong love of learning both in and outside of school.

By the end of the Reception year, our intent is to ensure that all children make at least good progress from their starting points are equipped with the skills and knowledge to have a smooth transition into Year 1.