EYFS

We welcome children in to our pre-school the term following their 3rd birthday giving children a great start to school life by promoting positive attitudes to learning, teaching social skills and developing knowledge and understanding..

Children starting with us in September and will turn 4 during the academic year form our pre-school group.  These children will move into our reception class together the following academic year.  Our nursery group is comprised of children joining us in spring & summer term (the term after they turn 3).

We aim to provide the children with a safe, stimulating and exciting learning environment that meet all of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum (EYFS).  During their time in nursery & pre-school, children will encounter speaking and listening, singing, dancing, stories, role-play, early maths and many other play based activities.  We aim that our children develop independence and vital skills that will get them off to a flying start when they move into reception.

The EYFS Framework explains how and what your child will be learning to support their healthy development.  This curriculum is interwoven with high quality texts to engage pupils whilst strengthening their vocabulary and imagination.  Your child will be learning new skills, acquiring new knowledge and demonstrating their understanding through seven areas of learning and development:

Prime areas:

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

These prime areas are those most essential for your child’s healthy development and future learning.

As children grow, the prime areas will help them develop skills in four specific areas:

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

At Longford Primary Academy, we greatly value the importance of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) in providing a secure foundation for every child’s future learning and development. We aim to ensure that pupils’ wellbeing is at the heart of our curriculum where we enable and motivate children to confidently take risks, explore, create and feel immersed in play.

Please watch our video so you can get a real feel for what your child will experience at Longford – we are very proud of our early years provision.

Tiny Happy People – Parenting & pre-school tips

Speech, language and communication skills are the building blocks for your child’s learning and development. From their very first sounds and words, children begin to make sense of the world around them and build connections with others.

Good communication skills help children to:

• Share their thoughts, feelings and ideas

• Make friends and build positive relationships

• Understand what is happening in the classroom and beyond

• Develop reading, writing and wider learning skills

• Grow in confidence and independence

Children who are supported to develop strong speech and language skills often find it easier to learn, to express themselves, and to feel understood. Every conversation, story, song or question you share with your child helps to build these essential skills.

By working together—home and school—we can give children the very best start, helping them to become confident communicators and enthusiastic learners.

Tips and links:

Dummies-Factsheet

Talk-Together

Tips-for-Talking-4-5-years

Before children can become confident writers, they need to build strong foundations in their bodies and hands. Developing motor skills—both big movements (gross motor) and small movements (fine motor)—helps children gain the strength, control and coordination needed for writing.

• Gross motor skills (running, climbing, balancing) help children develop core strength and posture so they can sit comfortably and concentrate.

• Fine motor skills (cutting, threading, using playdough, building) strengthen little hands and fingers, preparing them to hold and control a pencil.

• Pencil skills (scribbling, drawing, mark-making) are the first steps toward forming letters and writing with confidence.

Early writing isn’t just about putting words on paper—it’s about exploring, making marks, and enjoying the process. Every time your child draws, paints, plays with construction toys or practises holding tools, they are getting ready to write.

By encouraging lots of movement, play and mark-making at home, you are helping your child develop the strength, coordination and confidence they need to become enthusiastic and capable writers.

Tips and links:

SCISSOR-SKILLS

Pencil Skills

The Stages of Writing