Early Years

The early years is an important time for children, but learning is a lifelong process. The skills, attitudes, and attributes children develop now will be important for them for the rest of their life. Birth To 5

At Downfield we encourage our youngest children to learn and develop through play. We encourage our children to engage with a stimulating, varied and inviting environment. We encourage our children to communicate and build relationships. We encourage our children to be interested in their learning and to make decisions about what they'd like to learn next. We make changes and adaptations to ensure the learning journey all our children make, is personalised and suitable for their needs.

All children deserve the care and support they need to have the best start in life. EYFS 2024

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework is mandatory for all group and school-based early years providers in England.

The EYFS framework sets out seven areas of learning and development that must shape educational programmes in early years settings. All areas of learning and development are important and inter-connected. Three areas are particularly important for building a foundation for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, forming relationships and thriving. The three prime areas are: communication and language; physical development; personal, social and emotional development. There are also four specific areas, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied which are: literacy; mathematics; understanding the world; expressive arts and design. At Downfield Primary School, it is this which underpins our practice and provision.

Learning is organised under a set of key concepts. These can be seen here:

These key concepts remain consistent whilst topics and themes evolve and respond to the children’s interests and learning preferences.

Meadows Preschool:

We welcome children of 2 years into our Pre-School Setting: Meadows Pre-school. As our very youngest children, Meadows pre-schoolers experience learning in a supportive, nurturing environment. Expert adults care for and educate the children as they explore the setting both inside and out.

Downfield Nursery:

In the autumn after turning 3 years, children enter our wonderful nursery setting. Here the children continue on their amazing Early Years journey. Learning is organised under the key concepts model with a thematic approach to organising a careful combination of child initiated and adult led learning opportunities.  Staff work hard to support independence and children are encouraged to become resilient, capable, confident, and self-assured.

Downfield Reception classes: 

In Reception our four year olds embark on their final year of EYFS. Their learning journey continues to follow a path of self-direction and choice with topics growing from interests shown and shared with their trusted, expert adults. Once again, learning is channelled through the key concepts of Identity, change, expression, communication and construction. 

Some more formal elements of primary education begin to emerge within this Reception year with reading and communication and language being a real focus.