Our Early Years Approach
At Netherfield Infants, our Early Years provision is shaped by a deep understanding of child development, how young children learn, and the key role adults play in supporting this journey. Our curriculum is firmly rooted in the statutory Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and thoughtfully designed to give every child the strongest possible start.
Our approach is guided by the four overarching principles of the EYFS:
1. Every child is unique
We value each child as an individual who is constantly learning. We recognise their capacity to be resilient, capable, confident, and self‑assured.
2. Positive relationships
Children learn to be strong and independent through nurturing, supportive relationships with adults and peers.
3. Enabling environments
High‑quality learning environments, combined with skilled adult support, help children to flourish. We respond to each child’s interests and needs, building their learning step by step. Strong partnerships with parents and carers are central to this process.
4. Learning and development
Children develop at different rates, and our curriculum reflects this. We are fully inclusive, ensuring our provision meets the needs of all children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Areas of Learning
We follow the statutory educational programmes structured around the seven areas of learning and development.
Prime Areas
These form the foundation for children’s curiosity, engagement, relationships, and future learning:
- Communication and Language
- Physical Development
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Specific Areas
These strengthen and build upon the prime areas:
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts and Design
Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning
Threaded throughout our EYFS curriculum are the Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning. These shape how we observe, support, and extend each child’s development and help ensure a rich, balanced learning experience:
- Playing and Exploring – Children investigate, experiment, and confidently ‘have a go’.
- Active Learning – Children stay motivated, persist when challenges arise, and celebrate their achievements.
- Creating and Thinking Critically – Children develop ideas, make connections, and find their own ways to solve problems.