Welcome to the EYFS at                    Mapledene Primary School

The EYFS team recognise and appreciate that starting both nursery and school is a big step for both you and your child so here at Mapledene we aim to make this a really happy and positive experience.

If you are interested in a nursery or reception place for your child please contact the school office on 0121 464 2881. We look forward to meeting you and showing you around.

Nursery (Robin Class) Staff 2024-25

Mrs Walsh - Robins Class Teacher

Miss Briggs - Teaching Assistant

Reception Staff 2024-25

Miss Hatfield and Miss Young- Kingfisher Class Teachers

Mrs Mason - Starling Class Teacher

Mrs McVeighty - Teaching Assistant

Mrs Titchen - S&L Assistant for EYFS/KS1/KS2

At Mapledene Primary School, the EYFS team aims to provide high quality standards of education and care, alongside laying the foundations on which the children's future learning depends. We have high expectations and aim to help all our children fulfil their full potential.

We aim to :

• Create an environment in which the children feel safe, happy, secure, valued and confident.
• Provide well planned purposeful activities that stimulate and challenge the children.
• Build on what the children already know and can do.
• Provide a broad and balanced curriculum.
• Encourage the children to think and talk about their learning and to develop independence.
• Ensure that each child is given the opportunity to reach their potential.
• Invite parents to be involved in their children's education.

In our school we have a mornings only nursery class and two full-time reception classes.

In nursery there is one teacher and one teaching assistant.

Children who have turned four by the 1st September of that school year could be offered a full-time place in one of our two reception classes.

Attendance at our nursery however does not guarantee a reception place, parents/carers must apply for a school place through Birmingham City Council.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum

In the Foundation Stage your child will be taught under the governments  Early Years Foundation Stage Framework. This helps to support children's learning, development and welfare from birth to the age of five.

The EYFS is based upon four principles:

• A Unique Child
• Positive Relationships
• Enabling Environments
• Learning and Development

Learning and Development

Our foundation stage has one large nursery classroom with its own outdoor learning area. The two reception classrooms are open plan enabling both classes to access both rooms, as well as having their own dedicated class learning area. Reception also has it own outdoor learning area.

Our learning environments are organised to allow children to explore and learn securely and safely.

Areas of Learning

The EYFS is made up of three prime areas of learning:

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
• Communication and Language
• Physical Development

There are four specific areas of learning:

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the World
• Expressive Arts and Design

The EYFS also included the characteristics of effective teaching and learning.

The three characteristics are:

• Playing and Exploring
• Active Learning
• Creating and Thinking Critically

Play

Play underpins the delivery of all the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum and the development and learning for young children.

Well planned play, both indoors and outdoors, is important as young children learn with enjoyment and learn many new skill from being involved in purposeful, structured play.

This therefore enables your child to build up important relationships with other children, and allows them to use their initiative and problem solving skills. It is through these experiences that children learn and develop. 

RWI - How to say the pure sounds.

It is very important that children say each sound the correct way. The video below demonstrates how to say each sound.

Reception Baseline Assessment: Information for parents

What is the new Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA)?

Within the first 6 weeks of starting in Reception classes, all children will participate in the new statutory reception baseline assessment (RBA). The purpose of the assessment is to provide the starting point for a new measure that will help parents understand how well schools support their pupils to progress between Reception and Year 6 (the end of Key Stage 2).

The RBA will provide an opportunity for your child to have valuable one-to-one time with their teacher at an early stage, so the teacher can get to know your child better. It will provide a helpful snapshot of where your child is when they enter reception, so they can be supported in the most appropriate way.

The RBA is a short, interactive and practical assessment of a child’s early literacy, communication, language and mathematics skills when they begin school, using materials that most children of your child’s age will be familiar with. Your child will answer questions verbally or by pointing at or moving objects. The assessment has been designed to ensure that it is inclusive and accessible to as many children as possible, including those with special educational needs or disability (SEND) or English as an additional language (EAL). The teacher can pause the assessment at any time if your child needs a break. There are also modified materials available for children with visual and hearing impairments.

The RBA is not about judging or labelling your child or putting them under any pressure. Your child cannot ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ the assessment. Its main purpose is to create a starting point to measure the progress schools make with their pupils. Children will work with their class teacher for a maximum of 20 minutes on tasks that we normally do in Reception. Can we please reassure you that we aim to make this as fun as possible and we are confident that children will enjoy sharing their learning with us.

You can find out more about the RBA by downloading the parent guide using the link below. You will also find a copy of our Privacy Notice for Parents.

If you would like a paper copy of either documents please ask a member of Reception Staff.

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to talk to either myself or Mrs Mason.

Thank you for your continued support.

Kind regards

Miss Hatfield

EYFS Leader