Early Years at Withymoor

At Withymoor, we believe that every child is unique. Our aim is for every child to achieve, belong and thrive.

We provide a warm, ambitious and inclusive Early Years' curriculum that builds on what children already know, can do and are interested in. Through a carefully planned balance of purposeful play, high-quality continuous provision and adult-led teaching, children develop the knowledge, skills, vocabulary and confidence they need for future learning.

How Children Learn

Strong relationships are at the heart of our Early Years provision. Our adults know children well and create safe, stimulating environments where children can explore, investigate, make choices, solve problems and develop independence.

Our curriculum is carefully sequenced across the seven areas of the EYFS, with particular importance placed on the prime areas of Communication and Language, Personal, Social and Emotional Development and Physical Development. Stories, rhymes, high-quality texts, first-hand experiences and our local community help us make learning meaningful and memorable.

Communication and SHREC

Communication and language are at the heart of everything we do. We use the SHREC approach: Share attention, Respond, Expand, Conversation to create high-quality interactions throughout the day.

Adults listen carefully, respond to children's ideas, introduce and extend vocabulary and encourage meaningful back-and-forth conversations. Stories, songs, rhymes, poems and purposeful talk help children become confident communicators and develop a love of language and reading.

Executive Function and Independence

We deliberately support children's developing executive function, the skills that help them focus attention, remember information, manage impulses, adapt their thinking, solve problems and persevere when something is challenging.

Children develop these skills through play, routines, games, stories, problem-solving and carefully planned teaching. We gradually encourage children to take greater responsibility for their learning, choices and personal independence.

Inclusion and Belonging

We have high expectations for every child. We recognise that children begin their Early Years journey with different experiences, strengths and needs, so teaching and provision are adapted to remove barriers and enable every child to participate and succeed.

We work closely with parents, carers and other professionals to identify needs early and provide appropriate support. We want every child to feel known, valued, represented and that they belong within our Withymoor community.

The Difference We Want to Make

By the end of Reception, we want our children to be happy, confident, curious and increasingly independent learners. They will have developed positive relationships, strong communication skills, effective learning behaviours and secure foundations across the EYFS curriculum.

Most importantly, we want children to leave Early Years with a love of learning, belief in themselves and the knowledge and skills they need to flourish in Year 1 and beyond.