Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

Castletown Primary's Early Years Foundation Stage gives every child a child focussed, secure and happy learning environment. At Castletown Primary we respect and value every child, carer and parent and work together to help our school family recognise and realise their full potential. We strive to keep the child and their family at the heart of everything we do.

We use the EYFS framework to plan an exciting and relevant curriculum but also closely follow children’s interests to enhance their learning and encourage motivation and engagement.

Our continuous provision is regularly adapted and enhanced to promote any interests the children initiate and foster a deeper understanding of the knowledge and skills they acquire.

At Castletown Primary we are committed to providing a high quality teaching environment which is meaningful, effective and successful. We endeavour to build stronger foundations across the early curriculum.

Learning takes place indoors and outdoors every day. Through active learning outside the children explore the environment allowing them to develop their self-esteem, independence and self-confidence. We are delighted and look forward to exciting new opportunities to extend and enhance our outdoor provision in the summer term. Our pupils join our school at nursery level and play an integral part within our EYFS setting. There are many opportunities for our pupils to explore and discover and take advantage of the many learning opportunities that exist all around them.

Want to know more? Click below to view our Reception Information Brochure.

Curriculum 

The EYFS framework explains how and what children in our EYFS will be learning to support their development. At the end of Reception (the Foundation Stage) each child will be assessed against  17 key areas called The Early Learning Goals this is known as The Early Years Foundation Stage Profile. For each Early Learning Goal practitioners must judge whether a child meets the goal or or does not meet the goal and remains emerging in that area. The completed EYFS Profile also includes a short commentary on the three characteristics of effective learning. This will support future curriculum planning and will provide the year 1 teachers with important information about each child’s approach to learning

Early years teaching and learning concentrates on seven areas split between prime and specific areas of learning. As every child is unique and develops at their own rate the early learning goals are not used as check lists, but as a tool to enable the teacher to make a best fit judgement as to whether they have achieved the expected level of development.  

Prime Areas

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

These prime areas are essential for children’s development and future learning. As children grow the prime areas will help them to develop skills in the four specific areas.

Specific Areas

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

 We strongly believe that EYFS is a vital stage in the development of the whole child and therefore we ensure we give every child the best start we possibly can. We firmly believe that our pupils should be exposed to challenges and risks, controlled within a safe environment, that enables them to grow both physically and intellectually, preparing them for the wider world outside of school.

Click here to view the Castletown Foundation Stage - Reception Information Brochure

Further information can be viewed by clicking on the links below:

EYFS Curriculum Links

Development Matters:

Click here to view the Development Matters document

Birth to Five Matters:

https://birthto5matters.org.uk/

EYFS statutory Framework:

Click here to view the EYFS Statutory Framework

Getting Ready for School

Click below for useful guides to help you prepare your child for school.

Starting School Questionnaire

Click below to download.

Safeguarding in the Early Years

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework sets out clear safeguarding and welfare requirements that all early years providers must follow to ensure children are safe, supported, and able to thrive. You can view the EYFS statutory framework here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2

Section 3 of the EYFS outlines the duty for all providers to have robust safeguarding policies and procedures in place. These must be effectively implemented to protect children from harm and to promote their welfare at all times.

At our school, safeguarding is central to everything we do. Our practice aligns with national guidance, including the latest Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2025 updates:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education--2

We are also committed to meeting all expectations set by Ofsted for safeguarding and welfare in early years provision:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

Our Early Years Lead, Mrs. Harvey, is Level 2 Safeguarding trained, ensuring that our EYFS provision is guided by knowledgeable, proactive leadership with a strong focus on keeping every child safe.