EYFS

All children within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) at Kingfisher Special School are provided with the best possible start in life through a personalised and creative curriculum. Individual stages of development are recognised, understood and appropriately planned for through using and adapting the underlying principles of the EYFS statutory framework and Development Matters in structuring our offer to ensure children’s stages of development are recognised, understood and appropriately planned for. The values and intent of the school underpin the Early Years Foundation Stage. 

The ways in which the child engages with other people and their environment – playing and exploring, active learning, and creating and thinking critically – underpin learning and development across all areas and support the child to become an effective and motivated learner. We understand every child is unique and recognise the fundamental processes of learning from the earliest stages.  

In the EYFS we recognise the fundamental processes of learning from the earliest stages. The EYFS offer follows Kingfisher’s model for Teaching & Learning which is organised into 5 Flightpaths. Essentially, the curriculum is built around meeting the holistic needs of each child. The four areas of each child’s Education and Health Care Plan form the basis of priorities for the provision.

We use a thematic approach (see table below) to plan for teaching and learning which advocates creativity and active engagement in learning. Children within the 2 year old/Nursery provision follow the Nursery Cycle of Themes. When reaching Reception age, children follow the Cycle of Themes used in the main body of both schools. 

We use a thematic approach (see table) to plan for teaching and learning which advocates creativity and active engagement in learning. Children within the 2 year old/Nursery provision follow the Nursery Cycle of Themes. When reaching Reception age, children follow the Cycle of Themes used in the main body of both schools. 

We understand the importance of effective partnership between home and school. Our offer to families includes:

• Daily 2-way communication using Seesaw to share messages, photographs, videos and information about the children
• Annual interim meeting for all new children to take place within the first half term of them starting at Kingfisher Special School
• Annual Personalised Planning Meeting (PPMs) to review their child’s progress, achievements and aspirations for the future, contributing to future priorities
• At the end of the year, a summary statement is written for parents/carers
• Half termly parent/carer guides and newsletters are shared on the Kingfisher Special School website half termly
• In the 2 year old nursery provision, 3 open days a year where parents/carers/family members are invited into Nursery to enjoy a morning/afternoon of activities alongside their child and Nursery staff. These sessions give families a chance to meet informally with the Nursery team and other parents/carers
• A welcome/transition meeting for all children when they start in the Nursery or Reception
• Access to Parental workshops