"Pupils are encouraged to be curious and are rewarded with frequent praise and affirmation by their teachers"
(ISI Education Quality Inspection, November 2019)
Early Years Foundations Stage
NURSERY AND RECEPTION – AGE RANGE 3-5 YEARS
We feel that it is important to offer a gradual introduction to school life, so both morning or full day sessions are available in our Nursery. The children can start at the beginning of the term in which they are going to be three years old. We have a lively and stimulating environment with superb facilities and an excellent teaching team. There is a warm and caring family atmosphere, in which the children are taught to behave with kindness and respect towards each other.
The curriculum is vibrant and varied in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum which includes:
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Communicaton and Language
- Physical Development
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts and Design
Our Early Years Practitioners strive to give the children a balanced introduction to school life in all of the seven areas of learning in a relaxed and happy environment. Children access the curriculum through adult initiated tasks interspersed with creative play. We do teach reading, number work and writing, as well as creative play.
The children in our Nursery are very much part of the life at Dair House and attend assemblies and school performances as much as possible. We take pride in our highly personal service.
The children in the Nursery enjoy a lovely purpose built classroom with integrated toilets and interactive whiteboard. We have fantastic, completely private and secure playing fields, with a new outdoor classroom and play equipment. The children in the Nursery also use the school hall and dining room.
ASSESSMENT, REPORTING AND RECORDING IN THE EYFS
NURSERY
The Early Years Practitioners record the development and progress of the children through detailed Learning Journeys and an online application, Tapestry.
Formal Parents’ Evenings are arranged in the Autumn and Summer terms. These are based in the Nursery. The Early Years Practitioners are always available for discussion every day.
RECEPTION
As well as continuing the EYFS curriculum of the Nursery, the children in Reception are taught French and have specific Games and PE lessons from subject specialists. All children in the EYFS are taught Music twice a week by our Head of Music.
The teachers of our Reception class complete written reports at the end of the Autumn and Summer terms. The teachers comment on progress and set targets for future progress.
Parents’ Evenings on a formal appointment basis are organised for each of the three terms.
HOMEWORK
Homework is introduced as and when the children are ready in reading, phonics work and spelling.
EDUCATIONAL VISITS
Children in Reception regularly participate in educational visits. We usually organise at least two educational visits during the academic year to enhance our teaching.
