At Ordsall Primary School, our Early Years provision is rooted in our whole-school vision: Play, Learn and Grow Together. We believe the early years lay the essential foundations for every child’s future learning, wellbeing and success. Our vision is to create a nurturing, inclusive and inspiring environment where children feel safe, valued and excited to explore the world around them.

We want every child to develop curiosity, independence, resilience and a genuine love of learning through meaningful, hands-on experiences. Through strong relationships, thoughtful provision and high expectations, we ensure all children grow into confident learners who feel a strong sense of belonging within our school community.

Our RESPECT values — Resilience, Effort, Support, Passion, Enrichment, Compassion and Teamwork — are woven throughout EYFS life. They shape children’s attitudes, behaviours and interactions, helping them become kind, confident and capable members of our school community.

Intent

In the Early Years Foundation Stage, our intent is to provide a high-quality, ambitious and inclusive start to education where every child can “be the best that they can be.” We recognise the significance of early childhood as the foundation for lifelong learning, and we aim for every child to:

• Build strong foundations in communication and language, personal development, early reading, vocabulary, writing and mathematics.

• Develop confidence, curiosity and resilience through purposeful play, exploration and problem-solving.

• Experience a curriculum that is rich, sequenced and meaningful, rooted in high-quality texts and real-world experiences.

• Be valued as an individual, with their starting points and prior experiences shaping teaching and provision.

• Make strong progress regardless of background, SEND need or disadvantage.

• Be fully prepared — socially, emotionally and academically — for the transition into Key Stage 1.

Our EYFS intent prioritises:

A Language-Rich Curriculum

Daily exposure to vocabulary, storytelling, songs, rhymes and high-quality texts strengthens communication and understanding across the curriculum.

Secure Relationships & Emotional Safety

Children flourish when they feel safe, known and understood. Strong relationships and predictable routines support self-regulation and wellbeing.

Creativity, Independence & Character Development

Children grow through hands-on experiences that encourage independence, critical thinking and imagination.

Inclusion & Early Intervention

We identify SEND and additional needs early and provide targeted intervention so that all children can access the curriculum fully.

Cultural Capital

We provide a wide range of enriching experiences to broaden children’s understanding of the world and support aspiration.

 

EYFS Implementation

Our EYFS curriculum is thoughtfully designed to meet the EYFS statutory framework while reflecting the needs, interests and starting points of our children. Learning is delivered through a carefully balanced approach of child-initiated exploration, adult-guided learning and explicit instruction.

A Language-Rich, Purposeful Curriculum

• High-quality texts are central to all learning.

• Vocabulary and early language are taught explicitly and revisited daily.

• The curriculum is sequenced to build knowledge and skills progressively across the seven areas of learning.

• We draw on high-quality programmes to support development:

  • Read Write Inc. for phonics

  • White Rose Maths for mathematics

  • Drawing Club and The Children’s Kitchen for creativity, collaboration and imagination

Personal, Social and Emotional Development at the Core

• Emotional literacy is taught through Zones of Regulation.

• Children learn cooperation, empathy, independence and resilience through well-planned interactions and routines.

• The RESPECT values are modelled daily, supporting strong moral development and positive relationships.

Effective Assessment and Responsive Teaching

• Baseline assessments (including RBA and speech/language screening) identify starting points.

• Ongoing observations inform planning and daily teaching.

• Clear assessment checkpoints help staff monitor progress and respond swiftly to misconceptions.

• RWI phonics assessments ensure children progress confidently in early reading.

Inclusion, SEND & Early Intervention

• All children are fully included through adaptive teaching and purposeful scaffolds.

• Children with SEND are identified early and supported through the graduated response.

• Interventions (e.g., ELSA) address emotional, social and learning needs.

• Disadvantaged pupils receive targeted support to catch up and keep up.

High-Quality Environments & Play-Based Pedagogy

• Provision is carefully designed to promote independence, curiosity and exploration.

• Indoor and outdoor areas encourage investigation, language and collaboration.

• Adults extend learning through high-quality interactions, modelling and questioning.

Strong Partnerships with Parents

We work closely with families through:

• Transition visits & meetings

• Weekly learning updates

• Phonics workshops

• Open mornings

• SEND meetings & shared goal-setting

• Home reading routines

Parents are valued as children’s first educators, and strong relationships support progress and wellbeing.

Smooth, Well-Planned Transitions

• Tailored transitions into Nursery and Reception

• Collaborative planning and shared expectations across EYFS and KS1

• Detailed handovers to ensure continuity of learning and support

 

EYFS Impact

The impact of our EYFS provision is seen in the confident, curious and capable learners who leave Reception ready to flourish in Key Stage 1 and beyond.

Children at Ordsall:

Make Strong Progress

Most children achieve a Good Level of Development (GLD), with strong outcomes in communication, personal development, early reading and mathematics.

Develop Secure Communication & Language

Children use rich vocabulary, express themselves clearly and engage confidently in talk.

Build Strong Early Reading & Writing Foundations

• Children decode confidently through RWI.

• They develop a love of books and storytelling.

• They begin writing with accuracy, purpose and independence.

Show Resilience, Independence & Self-Regulation

Children manage emotions, follow routines, solve problems and use the RESPECT values in daily interactions.

Demonstrate Strong Social Skills

Children form friendships, collaborate, show kindness and respect, and are confident within the school community.

Are Ready for Year 1

They approach new routines with confidence, demonstrate enthusiasm for learning, and have secure foundations for the KS1 curriculum.

Ultimately, our EYFS provision ensures that every child leaves Reception equipped with the knowledge, skills and mindset to continue to Play, Learn and Grow Together throughout their journey at Ordsall Primary School.