EYFS- Early Years Foundation Stage
🐝 Reception (EYFS) – The 3 I’s
Intent
In Reception, our aim is to nurture happy, confident and curious learners who feel safe, valued and excited about coming to school. Our curriculum is designed to develop the whole child through carefully chosen themes such as Getting to Know You, Celebrations, People Who Help Us, Spring Into Life, Once Upon a Time and Amazing Animals. These themes support children’s personal, social, emotional, physical and academic development while building a strong foundation for future learning. We place great importance on communication, relationships, wellbeing and play, ensuring every child is supported to become resilient, independent and motivated to learn.
Implementation
Learning in Reception is delivered through a play-based, child-centred approach that combines adult-guided activities with purposeful independent exploration. Our provision is carefully planned around the Characteristics of Effective Learning — playing and exploring, active learning, and creating and thinking critically — and is supported by warm, positive relationships and enabling environments.
High-quality interactions, storytelling, Drawing Club, phonics, maths exploration, outdoor learning and real-life experiences are woven throughout the day. Children explore their world through visits, visitors, seasonal changes, celebrations and hands-on investigations. Adults observe closely, respond to children’s interests, and adapt learning opportunities to ensure all children are supported and challenged appropriately.
Impact
By the end of Reception, children leave with a strong sense of self, confidence in communication, positive attitudes to learning and a secure foundation in early reading, writing and number. They demonstrate independence, resilience and curiosity, and show care and respect for others and the world around them. Our children are well-prepared — socially, emotionally and academically — for the transition into Year 1 and their continued learning journey.