The Early Years Foundation Stage
We work within ‘The Revised Early Years Foundation Stage’ (EYFS) framework which covers children from the ages of Birth to 5 years as set out by the Department for Education & Skills (
At our
Learning journals
The Learning Journal is a record of your child’s progress within the Early Years Foundation Stage and shows observations we have recorded whilst your child has been at playgroup. The Learning Journal also works alongside your child’s memory book which contains evidence in the form of photos and pictures/paintings/drawings that your child has participated in. Other information is recorded in these such as interests from home and meetings with parents/carers.
Your childs key worker will share this record with you and talk about your child’s progress about once a term but you can look at this record at any time. At the end of your child’s time at playgroup the learning journal and memory book is presented to your child at our leaving ceremony.

Transition to school activities
Transition to school activities
Lunch clubs are available every day so that children can learn how to deal with this before they start school.

Planning The Curriculum
The staff work together closely as a team, planning the sessions within the framework of The Early Years Foundation Stage using a selection of resources, games, puzzles and learning activities that cover the seven areas of learning.
Our planning is child-lead and operated on a week to week basis by listening to, and building on, the children’s interests and ideas. We identify the children as individuals and put in place activities to support, encourage and challenge each child’s learning requirements. Our weekly plans cover all the areas of learning and evolve throughout the week as we ascertain by observing the children what can be added to compliment end enhance their learning further.
Each day there is an adult led activity which focuses on a particular learning objective linked with the current interests. This provides a valuable opportunity for one-to-one and group conversations, explanations and discussions about the topic and
We use our home corner, topic table, book corner display and display boards to reinforce our curriculum.
The Characteristics of effective learning are playing and learning, active learning and creating and thinking
Learning and Development:
There are 7 areas of learning These are split into Prime areas and Specific areas.
Prime areas
1) Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Children learn how to be self-confident, work, play and co-operate with others and take an interest in things whilst knowing right from wrong and identifying their needs.
This is incorporated in our circle times, snack times, stories, songs & rhymes, outings and group activities.
2) Communication and Language
Children develop skills in talking, listening, reading and writing. Hearing and saying sounds and linking them to the alphabet.
3) Physical Development
Children will move confidently, find control in their bodies, manipulate and handle various types of equipment. They will become aware of the space around them.
This is developed through music & movement, parachute games, outdoor climbing & slides, balls, hoops, ride-on toys, stepping stones, scooters and hobby horses. Fine motor skills which are smaller and more controlled movements are encouraged through a variety of activities such as threading, puzzles, play dough, drawing, painting, small world construction (Lego, Brio, Duplo etc.), cutting &
The specific areas
4) Literacy
We will encourage mark making / early writing and reading.
Our mark making table, book corner, games, home corner and speaking and listening with the child encourages this.
5) Mathematics
Children form a basis of understanding of math starting with language and simple concepts. They will become comfortable with numbers and aware of
Encouraged by most areas of play
6) Understanding of the World
Children become
Our ‘topic table’ and home corner bring different settings to the children along with the celebration of various festivals and playgroup outings such as visits to the airport and library. Some of the toys that bring awareness include doll’s house, airport & garage, Duplo, trains, cars and our computer which has a touch-screen.
7) Expressive arts and design
Children can expand their imagination by exploring colours & shapes, make things, tell stories, make music and dance, develop their ideas and express their feelings.
Examples of the many options available are painting, play dough, cutting,