The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) at our Pre-Prep School is split into three elements: Transition, Foundation and Reception. This staged introduction to school life is part of Hallfield’s commitment to providing your child with the securest foundations for a successful educational future. Delivery of the EYFS’ seven areas of learning is tailored to each child’s individual needs and interests.
Transition children attend school for a minimum of three full days per week from 8am to 3pm, in purpose-built facilities.
Children usually join in the September which begins the academic year during which they will celebrate their third birthday. There are four groups within Transition – Ladybirds, Butterflies, Honeybees and Caterpillars. Each child has a Key Person assigned specifically to them. The Key Person is responsible for overseeing each child’s every need.
In Transition, the focus is on the EYFS three Prime Areas of learning: communication and language, physical development and personal, social and emotional development. Each Key Person plans a curriculum to meet the needs of the children in their care, encouraging them to become active, independent learners.
Foundation begins in the academic year of a child’s fourth birthday and consists of three mixed ability forms of twenty. Each form has a Teacher and a Teaching Assistant. Foundation children attend school full-time, from 8.30am until 3.05pm every day.
Our focus on independent learning continues in Foundation, which at Hallfield is the start of your child’s formal schooling. Children learn through adult-led and child-led planned activities, in both outdoor and indoor environments. We aim to encourage confidence and articulacy in speaking, listening and responding; to develop controlled motor skills and to foster positive attitudes towards themselves and others.
Phonics is used to promote writing, and children are encouraged to use numbers and mathematical language. Spanish lessons are introduced to the curriculum, as is Drama, Forest School and Music. The children enjoy educational trips and visits to the Botanical Gardens, Wyre Forest, Twycross Zoo and more.
Reception begins in the academic year of a child’s fifth birthday and is located in bright, colourful and airy rooms with an attached and shared free-flow outdoor area.
Reception builds on the concepts, knowledge, skills and understanding introduced in the earlier years.
By the end of Reception year, children will be self-sufficient in selecting their own equipment and resources and attending to their own personal needs.