Early Years

Our Early Years Provision 

Ofsted Graded: Good (2023)

Our Early Years Foundation Stage key aim is to continue and extend the education which you, as parents/ carers, have begun at home to enable your child to foster a love of learning that will last a lifetime.

Our Early Years Curriculum Intent

At Easterside Academy we offer an Early Years curriculum that is rich in wonder and memorable experiences.  We ensure that all of our children have a broad curriculum with a good balance of adult led and child initiated activities to   ensure the best outcomes for all  pupils. We understand that play is an integral part of learning and this is at the heart of our Early Years curriculum. It is our intent that the children who enter our Early Years develop physically, verbally, cognitively and emotionally whilst embedding a positive attitude to school and learning. That they feel safe and secure and ready to learn.  We are passionate about creating opportunities for children to communicate more easily through developing    language and communication skills and specifically teaching vocabulary. We  believe that all children deserve to be valued as an  individual and we are passionate in allowing all children to achieve their full, unique potential.

We provide a stimulating environment that provides exciting opportunities, both indoors and outdoors in promoting challenge, exploration, problem solving, adventure and a real love of learning.

We aim for our children to be confident , resilient and independent, to believe in themselves and interact positively with others.
We endeavour to give the children the Cultural Capital they need for future   success i.e. giving each child the best start in life enabling them to fulfil their full potential and achieve future success.
Positive relationships between staff and children, consistent routines and strong relationships with parents are key. We recognise the crucial role that early year’s education has to play in providing firm foundations  in order for children to become successful learners. 

The EYFS Framework

There are seven areas of learning and development that help to shape educational provision in Early Years settings. All areas of learning and development are important and inter-connected. None of the areas of learning can be delivered in isolation from the others. Our children’s learning experiences enable them to develop competency and skills not just academically but also socially, emotionally and physically.

The three prime areas which are particularly crucial for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships are:

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

Staff will also support children in four specific areas, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied: 

• Literacy 
• Mathematics 
• Understanding the world 
• Expressive arts and design 

All of those areas of learning are connected together. The characteristics of effective teaching and learning weave through them all. That’s because children in the early years are becoming more powerful learners and thinkers. These characteristics develop as they learn to do new things, acquire new skills, develop socially and emotionally, and become better communicators.

At Easterside Academy, we plan learning experiences considering both the children's individual needs and achievements as well as a range of learning experiences that will assist them to make progress. Well planned play is a key way in which children learn with enjoyment and challenge during the Foundation Stage. Children deepen their understanding by playing, talking, observing, planning, questioning, experimenting, testing, repeating, reflecting and responding to adults and to each other.

Our learning environment is made up of areas which reflect all areas of the curriculum. Here children can make their own choices, encouraging them to play and explore. They can be active learners and are able to create and think critically. We operate an indoor/ outdoor learning experience for our young children, where they can move freely between both areas. Links are made between both learning environments, to ensure that all children receive a rich and varied curriculum that supports their learning and development.

We would like to welcome you and your family on the next step of their exciting learning journey!

Early Years Parent Information Leaflet