RHPS Early Years Curriculum

The statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage states that ‘Every Child deserves the best possible start in life and support to fulfil their potential. A child’s experience in the early years has a major impact on their future life chances. A secure, safe and happy childhood is important in its own right, and it provides the foundation for children to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow up.’ We want to give our children the best educational start and we believe every child deserves to have an equal chance of success. Our children are exposed to a high quality educational programme that is inclusive and rich in experience.

Intent

In our EYFS setting at Russells Hall, we aim to provide a stimulating and nurturing environment where children experience a balance of structured teaching and learning through carefully planned play. We recognise the importance of language development and prioritise rich, meaningful interactions in every activity. Our curriculum is driven by Development Matters and is thoughtfully designed to follow the children’s interests and to respond to cultural events, seasonal change and current affairs throughout the year. We empower children to take ownership of their learning by offering opportunities for exploration, creativity, and critical thinking in both adult-led and child-initiated activities. By fostering independence and curiosity, we support each child’s unique journey toward achieving their potential.

Implementation

We implement this by ensuring a well-planned balance between structured teaching sessions and opportunities for independent, child-led learning through play. Adults play a critical role in supporting language development by modelling rich talk, questioning effectively, and engaging in sustained shared thinking. Our skilled staff play alongside children, not only guiding their learning but also fostering collaborative exploration. We adapt our planning to reflect children’s interests, and we weave in significant cultural and community events to make learning meaningful and relevant. Ongoing observations of children’s learning inform our next steps, ensuring that every child can thrive in an environment that is both child-centred and guided by key developmental milestones from Development Matters.