Buckland Road,
0208 397 2006
Early Years
At Castle Hill our vision in the Early Years Foundation Stage is for all children to love coming to school. We aim to develop curious, creative and keen learners who enjoy being challenged and reflect on their own learning. Careful thought is put into our curriculum and learning environment to ensure that we ‘make the greatest difference’ and help all children to develop essential skills for their educational journey.
We have designed an Early Years curriculum with a balance of child and teacher led activities devised to create awe and wonder. The Early Years’ staff are highly trained to support children’s learning and use research informed practice in their planning and interactions with children. Research shows the significant impact of children’s communication and language skills development in Early Years on their future learning and later employment opportunities. Therefore our communication and language curriculum is deliberately prioritised.
Time is dedicated to building secure relationships between staff and children, ensuring that all children feel safe and confident in their new environment. Children’s interests are nurtured and encouraged, fostering a sense of belonging. Learning environments are thoughtfully designed to promote high-quality interactions between children and adults.
Staff recognise the significance of skilled interactions in developing children’s language and cognitive abilities. They intentionally monitor both the quantity and quality of their interactions, particularly focusing on those children who require additional support to enhance their language skills. Adults actively ‘tune into’ children, employing research-based techniques to engage them in meaningful, high-quality conversations inspired by interesting objects, visits, or experiences.
Developing a love of stories and reading is also highly prioritised with planned storytimes, high quality book corners, vocabulary and language structures intentionally taught and carefully selected songs, nursery rhymes, picture books and non-fiction books shared. Adults model reading with expression and fluency and elaborate on key vocabulary and story structures.
The curriculum and environment are designed to instil a love of learning in all children and give them the foundational knowledge to flourish in their future learning. As a result of our well-planned, exciting curriculum, children are happy to talk about their learning and are eager to come into school each day.
We would welcome the opportunity to show you around our school.
Please use the link below to sign up to one of our Reception tours for September 2005.
Things to support your child at home
Please share at least one book with your child every day! Research shows that sharing a bedtime story every night has a huge impact on children's vocabulary. A wealth of vocabulary will give your child the best start in life.
Phonics videos containing the sounds your child has learnt during the week in Reception will be shared on Tapestry. Please watch this videos with your child.
https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/
Maths is all around us. When you walk to school can your child spot numbers around them? (door numbers, number plates, etc). Or what shapes and patterns can they see?
https://whiteroseeducation.com/1-minute-maths