EYFS

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) at Baldwins Gate

At Baldwins Gate Primary School, we believe that the Early Years are a vital foundation for every child’s lifelong learning journey. Our mixed Nursery and Reception class offers a warm, stimulating and inclusive environment where all children are nurtured, challenged and supported to thrive — academically, socially, and emotionally.

Our approach ensures that children develop a love of learning, high levels of independence, and the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as they move into Year 1 and beyond.

Our Approach to Early Learning

We take a well-balanced approach that combines child-led exploration with purposeful adult-led teaching. Our learning environment promotes curiosity, confidence and independence, while helping children secure strong foundations in communication, literacy, numeracy and self-regulation.

Children in our EYFS benefit from:

• Continuous provision that enables deep, meaningful play and exploration in all areas of learning

• Adult-led group sessions focusing on phonics, early reading, writing and mathematics

• Skilled adult interactions that extend thinking, develop vocabulary and respond to children's interests in the moment

• Carefully planned enhancements to provision that link directly to our curriculum themes and learning goals

• A balance of indoor and outdoor learning, promoting physical development, creativity and connection with the natural world
  
  

Our Curriculum: Purposeful, Progressive, and Personalised

Our EYFS curriculum is carefully designed to build on what children already know and can do, enabling them to make excellent progress from their individual starting points. It is:

• Ambitious and well-sequenced, ensuring progression across all seven areas of learning

• Rich in language and vocabulary, recognising their central role in every aspect of development

• Inclusive for all children, including those with SEND or who may be disadvantaged

• Rooted in high-quality texts, themes and experiences that promote cultural capital and deepen understanding of the wider world

• Adapted in response to children’s needs, interests and development, with regular review and reflection

Children are supported to develop key skills such as listening, turn-taking, problem-solving and resilience, alongside their growing knowledge in areas like number, phonics, communication and physical development.

Phonics and Early Reading

We follow the Essential Letters and Sounds programme to deliver daily phonics sessions that are consistent, engaging and highly effective. This systematic approach ensures that children develop secure early reading skills, laying the foundations for a lifetime of literacy success.

Reading is at the heart of our provision, with children enjoying stories every day, exploring books across all areas of learning, and taking part in reading-rich experiences that promote comprehension and language development.

Assessment and Progress

Assessment in the Early Years is based on professional knowledge of each child, informed by observations, conversations, and meaningful interactions. We monitor progress carefully to ensure all children are moving forward in their learning, and we use this insight to plan next steps and adapt our provision accordingly.

We work in close partnership with parents and carers, keeping them well informed of their child’s progress and involving them in their learning journey.

Preparing for Year 1 and Beyond

Our EYFS is intentionally structured to prepare children for the next stage of their education. As they move through Reception, children experience more formal elements of learning in a gradual, supportive way, so that their transition to Key Stage 1 is smooth and successful.

By the end of their time in EYFS, children are:

• Confident, independent and enthusiastic learners

• Equipped with strong foundations in early literacy and numeracy

• Able to focus, follow routines, and manage their emotions

• Curious about the world and motivated to keep learning
  
  

Our children leave the Early Years ready not just for Year 1, but for a successful, fulfilling journey through school and beyond.

Are you interested in a place at Baldwins Gate for your child? Please visit our admission page to find out more. 

Already got your place and would like to support your child being school ready? Please visit the the parent kind website to get some helpful hints and tips.