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Welcome to Early Years!

'Children in reception have quickly settled into classroom routines.  They listen attentively to adults and are keen to join in and have a go'  Ofsted, March 2022  

 

We have two Early Years classes at Georgian Gardens led by Mrs Helen Meakins (Year R, 1 and 2 Lead) and classteacher, Mr Andi Lockwood.   We are lucky to have two class Teaching Assistants, Mrs Sam Silverthorne (full time),  Mrs Dips Chauhan (full time), who are experienced in working with Early Years children.     Also working in Early Years classes are Teaching Assistants,  Mrs Laura Batts, Miss Lizzie Northeast and Mrs Robyn Boas. 

Early Years Staff work closely to ensure every child gets the best possible start to their school journey, linking with the SEN and Pastoral staff when necessary to provide individual, specialised support.  Through good communication with families we build on children's interests and help them become happy and confident learners.    Families can access and comment on their child's online learning journal, Tapestry a great resource which helps us build a shared understanding of how each child can develop to their full potential.   We are of course always available on the end of the phone or at the beginning or end of the school day too!    

Our Early Years classrooms and outdoor learning areas provide a stimulating environment for pupils to learn and play.   The bright and spacious classrooms open onto a large, covered outdoor area which in turn opens onto the dedicated Early Years and Year 1 playground - complete with pirate ship, climbing frame, outdoor kitchen and musical instruments.   Children can also use our specialised facilities such as the new library and music studio (currently timetabled by year group bubble as part of our Covid risk assessment).  

 

'Children will be in education until they are at least 18 years old so it is very important that they enjoy going to school and we as a school make learning fun'.  Mrs Meakins (Yr R, 1 and 2 lead)  

 

The Early Years Curriculum focuses on 7 key areas.  Children are given opportunities to learn through experimentation, exploration and play and wherever possible given the opportunity to learn through first hand experiences.

 Personal, Social and Emotional Development:   How to look after ourselves, get changed, wash hands (and why!),turn taking, sharing, behaving appropriately in different situations.

Communication and Language: Speaking and listening in small and large groups, talking to others, playing in role-play.

Literacy: Making pictures, patterns and marks on paper and discussing what they mean, letter names, sounds and shapes, recognising names and common words, talking about books, writing sentences.

Mathematical Development: Using language to describe shapes, sizes, positions, quantities, recognising numbers and using them, counting, ordering, sorting, number rhymes and songs, recognising and recreating patterns, practical adding and subtracting.

 

 The following information may also be useful:

Virtual Tour - including a video tour of Early Years and a Day in the Life in Early Years

Prospectus