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EYFS

At High Halden, our Early Years provision is joyful, nurturing, and ambitious. Rooted in our Christian values of Generosity, Respect, Wisdom, Trust, and Hope, we make sure every child is known, loved, and ready to thrive. “Rooted in God, we grow together.”

What is EYFS?

The EYFS covers learning and development from birth to age five. In our school, children join Reception in the year they turn five, and move into Key Stage 1 at the start of Year 1. The EYFS sets Early Learning Goals (ELGs)—high-level outcomes most children are expected to reach by the end of Reception.

Our Guiding Principles

Our practice is shaped by four themes:

  • A Unique Child – every child is capable, resilient, and a learner.

  • Positive Relationships – secure, caring relationships build independence.

  • Enabling Environments – rich, well-planned indoor/outdoor spaces that respond to individual needs and promote strong home–school partnership.

  • Learning & Development – children learn in different ways and at different rates; all areas are important and interconnected.

The EYFS Curriculum: Seven Areas of Learning

We balance child-initiated exploration with purposeful adult-led teaching across seven areas:

Prime areas:

  • Personal, Social & Emotional Development

  • Physical Development

  • Communication & Language

Specific areas:

  • Literacy

  • Mathematics

  • Understanding the World

  • Expressive Arts & Design

All seven areas flow through our outdoor and indoor provision every day.

Development Matters (How Children Learn)

 

We use play as the engine of learning. Children investigate, have a go, keep trying, enjoy achieving, and think creatively and critically. As children grow, the balance gradually shifts toward more adult-led activities to prepare them for the greater structure of Year 1—without losing the joy and curiosity that power great learning.

High Halden’s Approach

  • Warm relationships & strong partnerships: We work closely with families from induction onwards, with regular two-way communication and termly progress conversations.

  • High-quality, well-planned provision: Staff design first-hand experiences that extend children’s interests and build knowledge step by step.

  • Inclusion at the heart: We set ambitious, realistic expectations for every child and tailor support—including specialist input where needed—so all children can flourish.

  • Assessment that informs teaching: Ongoing observation and assessment shape next steps. We share evidence of learning with parents through individual online profiles and end-of-year reports.

  • Safety & wellbeing: Clear safeguarding, first aid, and health procedures underpin everything we do so children feel safe to explore and learn.

Our Outdoor Environment – A Hidden Gem

Our expansive outdoor area is a true hidden gem – a safe, purposefully designed space where children explore, create and develop confidence in the natural world. It is open daily in all seasons, offering rich experiences that build language, collaboration, creativity and physical development.

Children enjoy:

  • Large water and sand play – channels, pumps and digging zones spark problem-solving, early science skills and new vocabulary.

  • Mud kitchen – messy, sensory play that inspires role-play, teamwork and imaginative language.

  • Deconstructed role play and building – crates, planks and loose parts for designing, constructing and testing ideas.

  • Outdoor art stations – easels, chalk walls and natural materials for creative expression on a grand scale.

  • Roadway for bikes and trikes – a marked track for pedalling, steering and learning about safe travel.

  • Obstacle courses – balance beams, stepping stones and climbing challenges for developing core strength and coordination.

  • Forest and nature area – bug hunts, den-building and seasonal walks to nurture curiosity and care for the environment.

  • Physical development hub – wide-open space to run, throw, jump and build gross motor skills every day.

Outdoor learning is fully integrated into our curriculum. Children carry ideas between indoors and out – measuring water flows, writing signs for role-play, counting natural collections, observing wildlife and telling the stories of their adventures.

Transition to Year 1

In the summer term of Reception, we complete each child’s EYFS Profile and share it with parents and the Year 1 team. This ensures a smooth handover, continuity of support, and a confident start to Key Stage 1.