At Beacon Primary Academy, our Early Years provision is built on the belief that every child deserves the very best start to their education. We follow the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (DfE, 2014; updated 2025), which sets out the standards for learning, development, and care for children from birth to five.

Our aim is simple: to nurture happy, confident, independent learners who are ready for the next stage of their school journey.

Our EYFS provision is rooted in purposeful play, responsive teaching, and a deep understanding of how young children learn best. We create an environment where curiosity is encouraged, independence is nurtured, and every child is supported to thrive.

The EYFS curriculum is organised into seven interconnected areas of learning. These areas shape everything we do and ensure children receive a broad, balanced, and meaningful early education.

Prime Areas

These are the foundations of early learning and are essential for children’s future success:

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

Specific Areas

These areas strengthen and build upon the prime areas:

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

Together, these areas support children to develop key knowledge, essential skills, and a lifelong love of learning.

Play is at the heart of our EYFS philosophy. We believe children learn best when they are:

• engaged
• curious
• active
• supported by adults who extend and enrich their thinking

Through a balance of child‑initiated, adult‑initiated, and adult‑led learning, children explore ideas, solve problems, build relationships, and develop confidence.

Play helps children to:

• investigate and “have a go”
• concentrate and persevere
• think creatively and critically
• develop independence and resilience

These are known as the Characteristics of Effective Learning, and they underpin every experience we provide.

Our continuous provision is carefully designed to ensure that learning happens all day, every day, not only during adult‑led sessions.

High‑quality provision at Beacon is:

• Thoughtfully planned and purposeful
• Consistent indoors and outdoors
• Enhanced to reflect current learning priorities
• Accessible so children can independently explore, practise, and apply skills

Our Early Years at Beacon Primary Academy is shaped by four overarching principles:

Unique Child

• Every child is valued as an individual with their own strengths, interests, and developmental path. We celebrate their uniqueness and support them to become confident, capable learners.

Positive Relationships

• Strong, trusting relationships between children, staff, and families are central to our approach. We work closely with parents and carers to ensure every child feels secure, supported, and ready to learn.

Enabling Environments

• Our learning environments, indoors and outdoors, are safe, stimulating, and thoughtfully planned. They encourage exploration, independence, and curiosity, while allowing children to build on their experiences over time.

Learning and Development

• Children learn and develop at different rates. We carefully observe, assess, and plan for each child’s needs, ensuring that everyone receives the right support to thrive.

Our EYFS curriculum is fully connected to the wider school journey, ensuring smooth progression from Reception into Key Stage 1 and beyond. We are committed to providing:

• quality and consistency
• high expectations for all learners
• inclusive practice
• a secure foundation for future success

At Beacon Primary Academy, we believe that the Early Years should be a time of wonder, discovery, and joy. Our EYFS team works tirelessly to create a nurturing environment where every child can flourish.