Early Years

EYFS Intent, Implementation, Impact

At Fordham, children start Reception in the September after they turn four years old. 

We have two Reception classes: Barn Owls and Snowy Owls. Our classrooms lead out onto a designated outdoor area, where much of the children's learning takes place. 

In Reception, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework. Our emphasis is on active learning, including self-directed spontaneous play, planned focused teaching and learning activities, experimentation, exploration, investigation and discussion. 

We aim to provide a safe, challenging, stimulating and caring environment, that is sensitive to the needs of all children. Our broad, flexible and creative curriculum reflects the interests of the children and helps to enable each child to flourish and develop to their full potential. We value the experiences that each child brings to the setting, observing the children as they play, in order to assess their development and plan for the next steps in their learning. 

Each child has a "Learning Journey" that documents their progress in the seven areas of learning and development. This record can be access online through a secure programme called Tapestry. Tapestry also allows parents and carers to add comments, observations, photos and videos and provides a valuable link between home and school. 

More information can be found in our EYFS Policy (see below). If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.

EYFS Policy EYFS Curriculum Overview and progression of skills

Early Years Foundation Stage - DfE Statutory GuidanceCurriculum Mapping EYFS - Year 1

Parent Information for new early years starters 

Information for parents regarding the Reception Baseline assessment

Information for parents: reception baseline assessment (publishing.service.gov.uk) is available to support questions from parents.