Ludlow Primary School (for ages 2-11)

EARLY YEARS

Early childhood is the foundation on which children build the rest of their lives. At Ludlow Primary School we greatly value the important role that the Early Years plays in laying secure foundations for future learning and development. 

At Ludlow Primary School our practice reflects the guidance set out in the ‘Statutory framework for the Early Years’. Children learn within a safe and secure learning environment that equips them for the educational journey ahead. We ensure children are given a range of highly-engaging and motivating play-based learning experiences which enable them to become confident and independent learners.

We aim to provide for children as they begin their journey with us, at the age of two years old. We endeavour to offer a curriculum that is based on real life experiences, involves the child and most importantly is planned through careful assessment of their needs and interests.  The Early Years Framework provides us with the scaffold for our Early Years curriculum. By the end of the Reception year, our intent is to ensure that all children make at least good progress from their starting points and are equipped with the skills and knowledge to have a smooth transition into Year 1.

In the Early Years we cover the seven areas of development.

The prime areas begin to develop quickly in response to relationships and experiences, and run through and support learning in all other areas and continue to be fundamental throughout the Early Years.

The specific areas include essential skills and knowledge. They grow out of the prime areas and provide important contexts for learning.

All children begin school with a variety of experiences and learning. The vast majority of children entering Reception will have attended Acorns Nursery. It is the privilege of the practitioners in Acorns Nursery and Reception to take on the task of building upon the children’s previous experiences. This is done through a holistic approach to learning, ensuring that parents/carers, and all staff work effectively together to support children's learning and development.

The four guiding principles shape our practice in the Early Years. These are:

• Every child is a unique child who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured;
• Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships;
• Children learn and develop well in enabling environments, in which their experiences respond to their individual needs and there is a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and/or carer;
• Children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates.

It is every child’s right to grow up safe, healthy, and ready to face the challenges ahead. We aim to provide a broad and balanced curriculum which will enable each child to develop personally, socially, emotionally, spiritually, physically, creatively and intellectually to their full potential. Each child is valued as an individual and teaching and learning is based on the understanding that children develop at different rates.

We aim to:

• Provide a safe, challenging, stimulating, caring and sharing environment which is sensitive to the needs of the child, including children with additional needs;
• Provide a broad, balanced, relevant and creative curriculum that will set in place firm foundations for future learning and development in Key Stage 1 and beyond;
• Provide opportunities for children to learn through planned, purposeful play in all areas of learning and development, both indoors and outdoors
• Use and value what each child can do, assessing their individual needs and helping each child to progress and achieve their full potential.
• Enable choice, decision-making and problem solving, fostering independence and self-confidence;
• Work in partnership with parents/carers and value their contributions;
• Ensure that all children, irrespective of ethnicity, culture, religion, home language, family background, learning difficulties, disabilities, gender or ability, have the opportunity to experience a challenging and enjoyable programme of learning and development.

At Ludlow Primary School children’s learning is supported through planned play activities, and decide when child initiated or adult-led/guided play activities would provide the most effective learning opportunities. We believe that it is important for adults to support children’s learning through play, by getting involved in the play themselves. Children are given the opportunity to explore and discover within a safe and supportive environment.

Play underpins the delivery of the Early Years curriculum. Through play our children explore and develop learning experiences, which help them to make sense of the world. They practise and build up ideas, and learn how to control themselves and understand the need for rules. The children have the opportunity to think creatively alongside other children, as well as on their own. They communicate with others as they investigate and solve problems. They express fears or re-live anxious experiences in controlled or safe situations. The children are involved with both group and individual play, some initiated by adults, some by the children. They learn through being active learners, working with a wide range of resources.