Early Years

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) at Merebrook provides children with the very best possible start to their education, establishing solid foundations on which to build their future learning journey, developing each child to become the very best version of themself.

You can find out about the Framework used to teach children in EYFS by clicking here: Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework

The Early Years encourages children to develop a real love of learning and a fascination about the world in which they live; identifying similarities, patterns and change through careful observation skills and experiences. Children will learn how to work independently and in partnership with their peers to solve problems and achieve goals, experiencing success without external reward. Our teaching of the school’s values starts here as children learn to follow rules, share, work alongside others and take turns. Children are encouraged and taught how to become effective learners, who show good curiosity, can problem solve and remain resilient when facing challenges. We aspire for each child to achieve the 17 Early Learning Goals which will give them the best foundation on which to build their future learning journey, providing them with a good level of development. Children will expand their ability to listen and give attention to not only things that interest them but to activities led by adults too.

Throughout the Early Years the children focus on a range of topics which reflect the children’s interests, the cultural calendar, current affairs, and the world around us. The curriculum is fluid and is adapted to suit the needs of each cohort of children, spending longer on areas of interest or to develop mastery in knowledge and skills. Reception children will experience sessions from our specialist Sports Coaches and have access to indoor and outdoor learning in their free play. Children are taught letter formation which prepares them perfectly for developing a fluent joined style in the future. Children enjoy stories and begin to read through the systematic teaching of phonics, reading phonics books which carefully match their stage of development, and through the teaching of reading skills in lessons and in guided reading sessions. Children will grow their spoken vocabulary by becoming immersed in a language rich environment where they have the opportunity to share their wishes and needs and can communicate their feelings effectively. Children learn to tolerate the needs, views and beliefs of others and understand that although we are all unique, we are all equal.