"Play is the highest form of research."

                                                                                                                  Albert Einstein

Early Years Foundation Stage

At Tintagel Primary School, we believe that every child deserves a happy, nurturing and inspiring start to their educational journey. Our Early Years provision, including Nursery and Reception, provides children with the foundations they need to become confident, capable and enthusiastic learners.

We recognise that children learn and develop in different ways and at different rates. Through a rich blend of play, exploration, first-hand experiences and carefully planned teaching, we support every child to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to flourish.

Our curriculum is designed around the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and reflects our belief that childhood should be filled with curiosity, wonder and discovery. We create an environment where children feel safe to take risks, ask questions, explore new ideas and develop a lifelong love of learning.

Above all, we want every child to feel valued, included and proud to be part of our school community.

Our Curriculum

Learning in Nursery and Reception is organised through the seven areas of learning and development within the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Prime Areas

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

Specific Areas

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

The prime areas provide the foundations for all future learning. We place particular importance on developing communication and language, vocabulary, early reading, personal development and positive relationships, ensuring children are ready to access the wider curriculum with confidence.

Learning is carefully planned through a balance of adult-led teaching, purposeful play and child-initiated exploration. Opportunities for outdoor learning, creativity, investigation and enquiry are woven throughout daily experiences, enabling children to make meaningful connections and become increasingly independent learners.

Our Aims

Through our Early Years curriculum, we aim for all children to:

• Develop confidence, independence and resilience as learners.
• Build strong communication and language skills, supported by rich vocabulary and high-quality interactions.
• Develop a love of stories, books and reading.
• Gain secure foundations in early mathematics.
• Learn to build positive relationships and work collaboratively with others.
• Develop curiosity, creativity and a willingness to explore and investigate.
• Strengthen their physical development, coordination and independence.
• Understand themselves, others and the world around them.
• Feel a strong sense of belonging and readiness for the next stage of their education.

Starting Their Journey

Beginning Nursery or Reception is an exciting milestone for children and families. We place great importance on ensuring that transitions into our setting are positive and supportive.

Through visits, opportunities to meet staff and carefully planned transition arrangements, we work closely with families to help children feel safe, secure and confident as they begin their school journey. We know that strong relationships are the foundation of successful learning, and we invest time in getting to know every child as an individual.

A Nurturing Environment

Our experienced Early Years team is committed to creating an environment where every child feels safe, respected and valued.

We understand that some children may require additional support at different points in their development. Through high-quality inclusive practice, adaptive teaching and close collaboration with families and external professionals where needed, we strive to ensure that every child can access learning successfully and achieve their potential.

We are passionate about preserving the wonder of childhood while helping children develop the skills they need for life. Through play, exploration, challenge and encouragement, we aim to nurture curious, confident learners who are ready for the opportunities ahead.

Working in Partnership with Families

We believe that parents and carers are children's first and most important educators. Building strong partnerships between home and school is central to everything we do.

We use Tapestry to share learning, celebrate achievements and provide opportunities for families to contribute to their child's learning journey. We value regular communication and work together to ensure every child receives the support, encouragement and challenge they need to thrive.

By sharing successes, milestones and next steps, we create a collaborative approach that places children firmly at the centre of their learning.