At Southwood our Reception children have an exciting time learning, making friends and having lots of fun!

Our Reception curriculum and provision fully encompasses the three characteristics of effective learning: Active Learning, Play and Exploration and Creating and Thinking Critically.

Our children work with an adult for some whole class and group sessions as well as on a one to one basis. Learning through play is a key thread throughout Year R. We use topics to plan the children’s learning and we always try to include the particular interests of the children whenever possible.

The children have constant access to our wonderful outside learning where a member of staff is always present to support and develop the children’s learning.

Miss Rachel Park
Foundation Stage Leader

Our Approach in Early Years at Southwood Infant School 

We strongly believe in an approach which is engaging and meaningful to all children. Our curriculum is largely discovery based, alongside short whole class and group sessions. We have a large purposeful learning environment and encourage children to be independent, initiate their own learning and make their own decisions. We plan our provision, enhancements and activities based on the current needs and interests of our children. Our vision is to develop confident learners with the skills to overcome challenge and approach the next stage of their learning with enthusiasm, curiosity and resilience. We are committed to supporting the personal and emotional needs of our children and this remains at the heart of our curriculum approach. At Southwood our Reception children have an exciting time learning, making friends and having lots of fun!

Our Reception curriculum and provision fully encompasses the three characteristics of effective learning:

• Active Learning
• Play and Exploration
• Creating and Thinking Critically

We use topics to plan the children’s learning and we always try to include the particular interests of the children whenever possible. The children have constant access to our wonderful outside learning where a member of staff is always present to support and develop the children’s learning.

Southwood Infant Early Years Curriculum 2024 - 2025

In addition to the use of the Statutory Framework for the EYFS and guidance in ‘Development Matters’ to support our curriculum planning across the 7 areas of learning, we have created the following outcomes that we feel are important to teach our current cohort of children based on our observations of them within play, conversations with parents, pre-school transitions and our local community. This list is not exhaustive and teaching/planning will respond within the moment to the current needs, next steps and interests of the children. The threads from the EYFS Framework and Development Matters will be taught through a mainly play based curriculum with a carefully planned environment that provides children with opportunities to develop and embed new skills, alongside adults whose role is to support and move on new learning within play. Maths and Literacy skills will be delivered through discrete sessions and embedded through play within continuous and enhanced provision, as well as adult initiated activities where appropriate. Objectives will also be taught where appropriate through adult initiated activities and discovery time session.    

Articulation of Phonemes