Early Years

At Upton St Leonards C of E Primary School, we recognise the importance of children making a positive start to their formal education.

Welcome to Reception

Wonder is that magical spark that opens up a child’s heart to learn. This is the true curriculum

– Sally Haughey – EYFS Consultant

The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child’s own natural desire to learn- Maria Montessori (physician and educator) 

At Upton St Leonards C of E Primary School, we recognise the fundamental importance of creating joyful, inclusive and inspirational learning environments and opportunities to allow our children to become lifelong learners. Our mission is to enable all of our children to embrace a love of life, a love of learning and a love of one another; allowing them to achieve a positive start to their formal education.

We have a broad and balanced curriculum that encourages curiosity, love and excitement which promotes high levels of engagement with child-initiated learning at the heart of our provision. We have high expectations for all our children to be the best that they can be and we want your children to achieve their full potential from their starting point.

We encourage the children to take ownership of their learning from an early stage and encourage them to activate their desire to learn, be inquisitive, take risks, make mistakes whilst learning from these mistakes.  Our learning environments are an inclusive, safe and stimulating place to be both indoors and outdoors with clearly defined learning opportunities. We want our children to be able to take risks along with knowing how to be safe, particularly in our outdoor environment.

We care very much for each and every child in our classes, and we champion all they set out to do. ‘Love of one another’ is at the heart of all that we do, and we create learners who celebrate and embrace our differences. Our staff have an excellent knowledge of child development which informs the planning and decisions we make.

Our Early Years curriculum is rooted in high quality inclusive texts where our children develop a love of reading from day one. Children are immersed in high quality vocabulary every day to support their language development. High quality adult interactions aid this when they children are engaging in child-initiated learning in our continuous provision.

We value the partnerships with parents, particularly during their child’s first year at school.  Parents are kept well informed of their child’s attainment and next steps throughout the year.  We provide resources, information and support for parents in order to support their child’s all-round development.  

What do children learn in Reception?

Our learning experiences in our learning environments are driven by the seven areas of learning and development of the statutory EYFS Framework. These areas are split into three prime areas and four specific areas. 

Areas of Learning and Development

During the Reception year, each child will be encouraged to develop these Characteristics of Effective Learning.  These learning skills will then provide them with positive and effective learning behaviours, which they will continue to build on as they continue to be lifelong learners. 

EYFS statutory framework for group and school-based providers

Transition into School

At Upton St Leonards C of E Primary School, we provide an inclusive learning environment which supports children with a wide range of needs.  Care is given to each stage of the child’s transition into school, through and beyond our school.

Our aim is to ensure that both child and parents are happy, confident, informed and relaxed about our school.  We want to build positive relationships with parents which are open and honest and have their child at the heart of everything we do.  The transition into starting school is well thought out and planned for and to allow the smoothest transition possible.  We provide: 

• An information pack (including link to school website prospectus) is sent to all parents.
• Invitation to a Welcome meeting in the summer term where parents can meet staff and find out about how to prepare for their child starting school.
• School staff visit local pre-school settings prior to the new intake starting, to meet and observe the children in familiar surroundings.
• Tours on open days and if necessary, individual tours of the school, are offered to new parents and their children.
• Welcome events are held in the summer term to help familiarise both parents and children with the school setting. We invite families to a ‘Teddy Bears’ Gathering’, and ‘Stay and Play’ sessions in the child’s new classroom.
• Transition booklets are sent out to all children and their families to help familiarise children with their new classroom, school setting and teaching staff.
• Home visits during the summer term before the children start school provide an opportunity for parents to discuss any concerns and ask any questions they may have. It is an opportunity for children to meet their teacher and teaching assistant in a safe, familiar environment. Staff take a photo of the child with a transition toy, e.g. a bear. These photos are then displayed in the child’s classroom prior to them starting school, providing a talking point and giving children a sense of belonging from their very first day in school.
• We have a staggered intake with the class split into 2 group. Children attend 3 days of a morning or afternoon session during the first week of school. The following week, all children are full-time, although this is flexible based on the individual’s child’s needs.
• In September we run a ‘Getting the Foundations Right’ meetings for parents. During this meeting we talk about Phonics, Early reading, Maths and also our on-line Reception home/school system called Tapestry.  

Take a look at our yearly overview which also shows our key assessment points throughout the year. 

Please see our Early Years Foundation Stage Policy and current Action Plan below:

Click here to view our Early Years Foundation Stage Policy - USL

EYFS Action Plan 23-24

Transition Policy EYFS