At Churchend Primary Academy we believe that the Early Years Foundation Stage provides secure foundations for later learning. Childhood is important in itself and all children deserve to have enjoyable and satisfying childhood experiences. Early experiences will also affect children’s perceptions of and attitudes to learning in school, the local community and in their future. At Churchend Primary Academy we are committed to providing your child with a positive start to their school life. We aim to foster this experience as they progress through the school.

The Early Years Foundation Stage is the period of learning and development from birth to 5 years. It includes different childcare providers including day nurseries, childminders and schools, working towards building a coherent and flexible approach to care and learning. All providers are required to follow the EYFS to ensure that whatever setting parents choose, they can be confident that their child will receive a quality experience that supports their development and learning. The first year of EYFS at Churchend is in the nursery and the second year of the EYFS is referred to as the reception year as the children join the school in a reception class.

All children learn best from experience and play is the key to the way young children learn. At Churchend Primary Academy we strive to provide experiences that stimulate, provoke curiosity, amaze and excite all the children in our care. Some activities are led by adults and others are initiated by the children themselves. All adults will support, guide and challenge the children to further develop their skills and understanding. We also encourage the children to practise social skills and build self-esteem, whilst always respecting others. We believe all these factors will enable the children to become more confident and independent learners.