Early Years in our Federation

At the Blakeney, Pillowell and Walmore Hill Federation, we believe that the Early Years Foundation Stage provides the fundamental foundations for future learning and development of all of our children. The prime areas of learning and the characteristics of effective learning allow the children to build resilience, develop interpersonal skills and become creative thinkers. As each child embarks on their learning journey within our federation, our aim is that each child develops into resourceful, resilient, reflective and reciprocal learners.

The four overarching guiding principles that underpin the EYFS are embedded in our practice and shape each child’s experience. Our enabling environments and adult interactions support the children as they begin to link learning to their play, games and exploration right from the start, gaining knowledge and skills in the seven areas of learning:

• Communication and Language
• Physical development
• Personal, Social and Emotional development
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding of the world
• Expressive arts and design

Our Early Years Vision

We are committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where every child can thrive. Our focus is on building strong, positive relationships and creating an inclusive space that supports each child’s emotional wellbeing and development.

Children learn best when they feel valued and supported. Our learning opportunities are thoughtfully designed to be stimulating and challenging, blending adult-led and child-initiated activities. Through play, exploration, and meaningful interactions, we help children build on prior knowledge and develop key skills.

We place a strong emphasis on communication and language, recognising its importance as the foundation for all learning. Children are encouraged to develop vocabulary, express themselves, and enjoy storytelling, conversation, and imaginative play.

Physical development is also a key priority, with activities that promote coordination, balance, and motor skills through both indoor and outdoor play.

Our approach celebrates curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. Play-based learning encourages children to explore, solve problems, and actively participate in their learning journey.

By the end of Reception, our goal is for every child to make strong progress and be ready for the next stage of learning. We lay firm foundations in early literacy and mathematics through daily opportunities to read, write, and explore numbers in a fun and meaningful way.

What do children learn in our federation?

Our Early Years Curriculum

Our Early Years curriculum follows the Statutory Framework for the EYFS, guided by Development Matters, ensuring children access a broad, balanced foundation for future learning. We focus on the prime and specific areas of learning through a mix of adult-led and child-initiated activities, both indoors and outdoors.

In our mixed-age classes, children benefit from varied learning experiences that prepare them for Key Stage 1. Learning is structured around engaging class themes and cross-curricular links, helping children apply and transfer skills across subjects.

Communication and language development is central to our approach. Classrooms are communication-friendly environments, where staff use the SHREC approach to build rich, meaningful conversations. High-quality texts, planned vocabulary, storytelling, role play, singing, and tools like Makaton and visual aids support every child’s speech and language growth.

Physical development is nurtured through weekly PE, outdoor play, and activities such as gymnastics, ball games, and climbing. Fine motor skills are developed through creative tasks like threading, moulding, and early writing practice.

Early literacy is supported through the Little Wandle phonics programme, daily reading, and writing activities. Children who need extra support receive timely, targeted intervention to help them stay on track. Similarly, White Rose Maths underpins our teaching of early numeracy, blending structured teaching with exploration.

Our curriculum is responsive to each child’s needs, interests, and progress. We use observations, photos, and work samples to capture learning, shared regularly with families via Class Dojo, encouraging strong home-school partnerships.

We celebrate our unique setting in the Forest of Dean, providing children with enriching experiences like local walks, beach visits, and community interactions that broaden their understanding of the world.

All children are included in our learning journey, with additional support or challenge where needed—ensuring every child can thrive, grow, and succeed.

By the end of Reception, all children will have achieved to the best of their ability and will have made good progress across all areas of learning, from their own starting points. Most aiming for a good level of development(GLD). Each child will have a successful transition into Year 1. EYFS staff have a good understanding of how the ELG's link to the National Curriculum and ensure the children leave the EYFS with the knowledge, skills and confidence to continue their learning journey. 

For further information about the seven areas of learning, please see the full statutory  EYFS Framework document below.

Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework - GOV.UK