Early Years

Our Play Based Curriculum

Research and our school experience tells us that young children learn best through play and exploration, this is why we have built on excellent Early Years practice to provide our children with independent learning throughout Early Years into KS1. We have found our approach gives the children time to think and explore, and to be fully engaged in their learning all day long.

Children know play is their superpower

This quote from the Lego Foundation shows the importance of play for children's learning;

‘We’re here to convince the grown-ups. Because play is something every child, everywhere in the world can do. It fuels curiosity, sparks creativity, and inspires a lifelong love of learning. Children who play pick up all kinds of skills to thrive today – and lay the foundations for a happier, healthier life tomorrow.'

We are here to promote a Life-Long Love of Learning

What the experts say...

‘Children are 'hard-wired' to learn and they learn best by being active and autonomous - exploring, discovering, creating and taking risks, in other words, by playing.’
Anna Ephgrave

‘By the end of year R most children have developed far greater confidence are more creative and highly independent. Unfortunately in KS 1 the time to explore freely and learn though self initiated activities is often non-existent.’
Early Excellence

So why a play based learning curriculum?

1.Well-being – it is more enjoyable for the children so they are more motivated and believe in their own abilities

2.Life-Long learning skills – children overcome challenges in a wide range of meaningful contexts – social, emotional and intellectual (CofEL)

3.Making links, Embedding skills and Knowledge – children plan, monitor and evaluate their own activities, draw on prior experiences, set own challenges and connect learning across the curriculum

EYFS Curriculum Intent.pdf

EYFS Report SEPT 2020.pdf

Hungry Little Minds

Improving early communication, language and literacy development is a key priority for the government and for Lockerley Primary School. It is a cornerstone of building a country that works for everyone. Some of the poorest children in the UK start school months behind their peers and the gap can grow through their school years. Children with poor vocabulary skills at age five may be up to twice as likely to be unemployed in their 30s. In July 2018, the Department for Education (DfE) announced the government’s ambition to halve in ten years the proportion of children who finish reception year without the communication, language and literacy skills they need to thrive. As part of this endeavour DfE has launched Hungry Little Minds – a new three-year campaign to encourage parents and carers to engage in activities that support their child’s early learning and help set them up for school and beyond.

Hungry Little Minds has been designed to encourage parents and carers to chat, play and read more with their children.

Below is the link to the webpage to learn more...

Hungry Little Minds

Tiny Happy People

Tiny Happy People is a BBC web page to help you develop your child's communication skills. Explore our simple activities and play ideas and find out about their amazing early development.

Tiny Happy People

What to expect, when?

The purpose of this booklet is to help you as a parent/ carer find out more about how your child is learning and developing during their first five years, in relation to the EYFS. Children develop more rapidly during the first five years of their lives than at any other time. This booklet has been written to help you as a parent know what to expect during these vitally important years by focusing on the seven areas of learning and development which are covered in the EYFS.

Children learn and develop through playing, exploring, being active, creative and being asked questions to help their thinking. After each age band there is an example of some ideas and tips as to how you can help your child’s learning and development.

What to expect, when?