Early Years Foundation Stage
Welcome to the EYFS at Birstwith CE Primary School.
Through our Christian values and ethos, we provide a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone is cherished and where all flourish.
‘Love one another as I have loved you.’ John 13:34
In the EYFS we strive to deliver quality first teaching within exciting and rich environments, where there is a good balance of play and discovery alongside direct, discrete teaching. We take great pride in our unique and beautiful rural setting and outdoor space and relish every opportunity to learn in the great outdoors. We also take advantage of our local area by visiting special places, being involved in community events, enjoying walks in the village and taking part in Forest School. It is of huge importance to us that we broaden our children’s understanding and acceptance of the variety within our diverse world, such as trips to larger towns and cities to visit places of worship, taking part in a range of cultural celebrations, raising money for charities and sharing texts which normalise diversity and prepare them for life in modern Britain.
In addition to our planned curriciulum, we ensure we give children the time and room they need for to investigate their own fascinations and explore their own interests. Every day is different and exciting and we cherish each unique child.
EYFS Staff
It is with great pleasure that I am able to welcome you to the EYFS page at Birstwith CE Primary School.
My name is Miss Erwin and I am the Class 1 Teacher. When your child reaches Reception age, they will take their first steps on their school journey in Class 1 and it really is a magical place.
Hello! My name is Mrs Johnson and I have been a teacher at Birstwith School for 14 years. I love supporting our youngest children within Class 1. We have so much fun, especially outside as I love exploring nature. I even have my own chickens!
A Typical Day
We deeply value the importance of play in EYFS and children's curiosities are fostered through meaningful interactions with staff where they work to encourage thought and natural progression in their play. We have carefully designed the classroom and outdoor space to facilitate magical learning opportunities that encompass all areas of the EYFS Framework.
This is blended with developmentally appropriate teaching opportunities which links to the EYFS framework, as well as the wider curriculum.
Phonics and Early Reading
We follow Little Wandle Letters and Sounds as our chosen phonics scheme. It has had wonderful outcomes for the children, allowing them to immerse in reading and share their creativity in writing alongside accessing the whole curriculum.
Please see some valuable links and documents below to support your child's learning.
Useful Websites
Useful Links
Safeguarding
New Starters
Settling In Arrangements
We make sure your children know us really well before they start school and it's even more important for us to get to know them, as well as you, as their family. This is why we organise Nursery, childminder and home visits during the summer term and invite the children and their families into school for stay and play sessions and information evenings.
We then host 'Stay and Play' sessions along with transition mornings for the children, which have been hugely successful in settling them into school and led to a positive start in September 