Early Years
In line with the whole school approach, children in Early Years learn apply our school values in all aspects of their learning.
Our Early Years curriculum
Each half term children’s learning is centred around their interest and is outlined as ‘Key Themes’ to provide the children with all the experiences that they need to excel in the Early Years curriculum set out by the Department for Education.
Vocabulary is carefully selected and planned throughout each year group at Templenewsam Halton Primary School. Through play and storytelling, EYFS staff help children extend their vocabulary and develop their communication skills. Key subject specific vocabulary such as seasons, animal names, countries and landscapes have been selected in order ensure children can apply the skills in the curriculum and understand the plethora of new information introduced to them.
Assessment in Early Years
Upon entry to the reception year, children undergo a ‘National Baseline Assessment’ to gage their current understanding of key areas of the Early Years curriculum on entry into school. Throughout the year EYFS staff will then monitor children’s achievements in all areas of the EYFS curriculum to identify any areas for development.
If a child is identifies as needing support to excel in a subject area, interventions will be planned and adaptations to the learning environment, (classroom) will occur to expose children to the key learning.
A day in EYFS
Nursery
Nursery children enjoy a play-centred day built around familiar routines. Mornings begin with registration, snack time and a short group session such as name writing, singing or story time. Children spend most of the day exploring indoor and outdoor provision, with short focus sessions across the week including communication and language, maths, literacy, PE, personal development and library visits. The day finishes with tidy-up time and a shared story.
Reception
Reception follows a structured daily rhythm that combines taught sessions with independent learning. Each morning includes phonics and literacy, with maths timetabled throughout the week and PE on set days. Children have extended periods in provision indoors and outdoors to develop skills through play and apply what they have learned. The day ends with tidy-up time and a story to bring everyone together before home time.
Our commitment to parental engagement
Parental relationships are at the heart of our learning culture at Templenewsam Halton Primary School. Throughout the Early Years, our parents engage in all aspects of a child’s development. From the start of the year, we welcome parents in weekly for, ‘Stay & Play’ sessions, sharing children’s learning and engaging in conversations about children’s development and ways to support children at home. We use Seesaw to communicate with parents. This creates a platform to share daily class learning and celebrate achievements of individual children. We value sharing our teaching process with parents and carers, therefore we set homework weekly, incorporating videos of Little Wandle sessions to support parents in teaching their children to read and write at home. To further support our drive to instil a love of reading, each week we host a ‘Secret Reader’ event. Each week, a surprise adult joins the children in class to read a story. This is a much-anticipated weekly event and creates a sense of delight and passion towards reading.
Most importantly, class teachers are always available each morning and afternoon to discuss any queries or concerns you may have and will do all that they can to ensure children are happy, safe, and enjoying school life.