We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework which sets out the standards for development, learning and care of children from birth to five. It is important that all children are given the opportunity to experience the best possible start to their education. The EYFS promotes teaching and learning to ensure children’s ‘school readiness’ and allows for a wonderfully broad range of knowledge and skills that support positive progress through school and life.

Our aim is to ensure that every child is a competent learner who can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured. We recognise that children develop in individual ways, at varying rates. Children’s attitudes and dispositions to learning are influenced by feedback from others; we use praise and encouragement, as well as celebration and rewards, to encourage children to develop a positive attitude to learning.

At Newlands we ensure that from the moment your child joins us, their early years experience is happy, active, engaging, fun and secure. We support at all times their development, care and learning needs.

How will my child learn at Newlands School?

Your child will be learning skills, acquiring new knowledge and demonstrating their understanding through the 7 areas of learning and development. The prime areas are those most essential for your child’s healthy development and future learning. As children grow, the prime areas will help them to develop skills in 4 specific areas.
 

Prime Areas

• Communication and Language
• Physical Development
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development.

Specific Areas

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Expressive Arts and Design
• Understanding the World

These 7 areas are used to plan your child’s learning and activities. Your child’s teacher will make sure that the activities are tailored to your child’s unique needs. The EYFS curriculum is suitable for very young children and is designed to be flexible. This allows our teachers to closely follow the individual needs and interests of each child.

Children at our Foundation Stage learn by playing and exploring, being active, and through creative and critical thinking which takes place both indoors and outside.

To ensure the children receive a broad curriculum at Newlands we have specialist teachers including, PE, Music, Arabic and Islamic who visit weekly to teach the children.

Parent Partnership

At Newlands School parents have the opportunity to work closely with our Early Years practitioners to support children’s transition into the setting. We would like parents to feel secure in the knowledge that their child is well cared for and happy at school.

Our parents are welcomed and actively encouraged to be involved in their children’s learning in school and to share learning experiences through tapestry observations and parent workshops. We recognise that parents are the first educators in children’s lives and value contributions to judgements about children’s development. We use this information to support our assessments and share information about what children need to do next to develop and thrive.

What is it like in the Early Years on a day to day basis?

Every day, we provide opportunities for children to come together to share their experiences and have fun. Our children are happy, proud and feel secure knowing that we are proud of their achievements.

Learning Environment

Our learning environment facilitates child-initiated play and provides children with carefully planned opportunities which allow children to explore, create and learn through exciting, stimulating, interactive and accessible resources.
 

Role of our Early Years practitioners and teachers

We are a close team with play-based child centred learning at the heart of our practice. We aim to communicate and work cooperatively with parents and carers to support our children’s development.