Early Years Foundation Stage

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) 

At the age of three, children begin the Early Years Foundation Stage provision as a bridge between Explorers Nursery and entering full-time education in Reception.

Chapter House’s Early Years classrooms are filled with interesting, natural and inspiring items to spark curiosity and discovery. From ceramic tea sets, briefcases, typewriters and fancy dress, there is plenty to encourage imagination and learning through creative play.

"Children are enthusiastic about their learning environment. They have extensive time to play and explore their ideas, increasing their confidence as learners. Children develop a love of books and develop their language skills as they share stories together."

 Queen Ethelburga's ISI Inspection report, October 2023

Early Years learning is planned around your child’s interests, with lessons built around the children’s curiosity and questions rather than a formal curriculum. We call this “Planning in the Moment” with discovery built around the children’s daily experiences, whether at home or school.

See how we plan in the moment - visit our Early Years classrooms on a private tour.

Book a private tour

We are outstanding. 

We are proud to announce that the Independent Schools Inspectorate (2023) has ranked the quality and overall effectiveness of EYFS in all areas as outstanding.

This includes the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management. 

EYFS child at Race For Life
Facilities

EYFS student at Forest School.

Like a detective finding clues, children learn from being inquisitive, explorative, and creative.
Learning Through Play

The power of play is at the heart of our learning process as our explorers challenge themselves and work together to express their ideas, to discover and most importantly, to laugh!

Never Miss An Exciting Moment

Throughout Early Years, teachers keep in touch with parents with daily updates through Tapestry, an online learning journal. Every child is assigned a key person dedicated to tracking and supporting their learning. This ensures you never miss an important moment in your child’s day, and by updating us on your child’s activities out of school, we can together build upon your child’s interests.

Overview of the Curriculum

Within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), there are seven areas of learning and development that mould and shape the curriculum. These seven areas are split into Prime and Specific areas.

Prime Areas:

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

Specific Areas:

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

The curriculum builds on the prime areas learnt at Explorers Nursery, focusing on specific areas of learning (literacy, mathematics, understanding the world and expressive art and design).

“In the early years, positive and supportive relationships enable children to learn how to understand their feelings and respect those of their peers. Staff model behaviour expectations, and children apply these to their own actions."

 Queen Ethelburga's ISI Inspection report, October 2023