The Early Years Foundation Stage is your child’s first step into school, and we work in close partnership with local preschools and nurseries to make the transition to school life as smooth as possible. At Hawley Primary School, we believe in the importance of building a positive relationship with your child and their family. This begins before your child joins us in school through taster sessions and a visit to the child’s home, when we are able to get to know each child and their interests to ensure they settle quickly into their new learning environment. 

Each child becomes a member of the Giraffe or Zebra Class, and it is always a delight to see them eager to take on the responsibility of being the ‘Gentle Giraffe’ or ‘Zippy Zebra’ in order to help their teachers. Many opportunities are given to the children to share information about themselves with their class, including bringing in their favourite things in an ‘All About Me Box’ during their first week at school, before taking it in turns to take the class Giraffe or Zebra home for the weekend. 

We strive to plan from each child’s interest and include new learning in activities that they are already enjoying and succeeding with. We believe this gives purpose to each learning opportunity and enables children to apply the new knowledge they acquire along the way. Embedded within each child’s self-directed learning, are whole class sessions to develop their knowledge and skills in Literacy and Mathematics. This includes the provision of daily phonics sessions and numeracy activities to support early development in reading, writing and working with numbers in an engaging way. 

Our Foundation Stage Curriculum follows the statutory framework in which provision enables children to develop and enhance skills in seven areas of learning. Alongside these are the Characteristics of Learning, which identify the ways in which children engage with others and their environment through playing and exploring, active learning and creative and critical thinking. 

All members of staff in the Early Years Foundation Stage are committed to ensuring that each child feels happy, safe and respected in order to develop a positive and rich learning environment in which every child can thrive. 

This half term our topic is 'It's a Bugs Life!' 

As the children begin their transition into Year 1, we also look at the changes that take place within our natural environment. We will observe caterpillars grow into cocoons. Like the caterpillars, we have reached the time when the children grow their wings and prepare to fly towards the next part of their Hawley journey. 

If you would like to find out more about our learning opportunities this half term, please see our attached ‘Knowledge Organiser’. 

Seesaw

Seesaw is an online programme which allows you to view your child’s progress throughout the EYFS.  You will be provided with login details when your child enters Reception.  Your child’s record will be updated regularly with photographs, videos, work and comments from staff. This programme also enables you to share your child’s interests and achievements from home.

Our Classrooms and Outdoor Area