Early Years Foundation Stage – Here you will find the information about our early years curriculum.
Our EYFS Principles
A Unique Child
Every child is capable, curious and full of potential. We recognise individual development, celebrate differences, and build children’s confidence through encouragement, praise and meaningful relationships.
Positive Relationships
Strong, respectful relationships with children and families are at the heart of our practice. We work closely with parents, value their expertise, and ensure every child feels safe, known and cared for.
Enabling Environments
Our indoor and outdoor environments are carefully planned to inspire exploration, independence and deep engagement. Children access high‑quality continuous provision that reflects their interests, supports next steps and encourages purposeful play.
Learning & Development
We deliver a broad, ambitious curriculum across all seven areas of learning, with a strong focus on the Prime Areas (Communication & Language, PSED, Physical Development) as the foundation for later success.
How We Teach
Our pedagogy blends:
Play — child‑led, exploratory, imaginative
Modelling — adults demonstrating language, skills and thinking
Scaffolding — extending children’s ideas and deepening learning
Guided learning — small‑group, purposeful interactions
Direct teaching — carefully sequenced lessons in phonics, maths, reading and writing
Children learn through a balance of adult‑led and child‑initiated experiences, supported by warm, skilled practitioners who know when to step in — and when to step back.
Forest School
Every Nursery and Reception child takes part in weekly Forest School sessions. These sessions:
build confidence, resilience and independence
support emotional regulation
encourage risk‑taking in a safe, well‑managed environment
develop teamwork, communication and problem‑solving
nurture a deep connection with nature
Forest School is a powerful part of our curriculum and a key contributor to children’s wellbeing.
Assessment & Next Steps
We use Evidence Me, daily observations and professional knowledge to understand each child’s development. Assessment is:
continuous
holistic
purposeful
used to plan next steps
shared with parents
We also use Padlet to track next steps and ensure continuous provision is responsive and challenging.
🏡 Partnership with Parents
We believe children flourish when school and home work together. We offer:
home visits
transition sessions
curriculum workshops
regular communication via Dojo
parent lunches and stay‑and‑play events
termly parents’ evenings
shared conversations for children with SEND
Parents are valued partners in every child’s learning journey.
Inclusion
We welcome and celebrate every child. Our provision is inclusive, adaptive and responsive to individual needs, ensuring:
early identification of SEND
targeted support
collaboration with external agencies
high expectations for all
diverse, non‑stereotyped resources
a curriculum that reflects our community and the wider world
Characteristics of Effective Learning
We nurture children who:
explore and ‘have a go’
stay focused and keep trying
think creatively and critically
These behaviours underpin all learning and prepare children for success in Year 1 and beyond.
The Millbrook EYFS Experience
Children leave our EYFS as:
confident communicators
enthusiastic learners
resilient problem‑solvers
kind, empathetic friends
curious explorers
readers who love books
children who feel safe, valued and ready for the next stage
