Welcome to Early Years at Walton-on-Trent

        The leader for EYFS is Mrs Caroline Williams.   

        The link governor for EYFS is Mrs Vic Knight.

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to Early Years at Walton-on-Trent. Early Years consists of an 8 place nursery and 20 children in our Reception year group.

If you would like to arrange a visit to our early years, please contact the school office on the number below, or via email.

Telephone: 01283 716151

Email: info@walton-on-trent.derbyshire.sch.uk

Please check back regularly for more updates about futures events and transition arrangements for those who are starting with us in September 2023. We look forward to working with you!

Rabbits (Nursery)

Our Rabbits class is able to take 8 children per session, depending on availability. Some children are full time, while others attend part time. Our small group allows the children to develop relationships and their love for learning,  in a base that is in the heart of our school. With open access to indoor and outdoor learning, as well as weekly access to our forest school provision, children at our school have a wonderful opportunity to explore and develop their independence within the school environment. Our long term plans ensure that children have a wide variety of opportunities to form firm foundations for their future learning, whilst allowing the flexibility for topics to reflect the interests of the children in our care.

Hedgehogs (Reception and Year One)

Our Hedgehogs class consists of up to 20 children of Reception age and half of our year one cohort (up to 10 children). Located next to our forest school area, Hedgehogs have open access to our wonderful outdoor area and roomy indoor classroom. With carefully planned activities that encompass children's needs and interests, we ensure that children develop their love for learning and build firm foundations for future learning. Hedgehogs embraces Early Years values of learning through play and enjoyment whilst preparing children for their next steps. 

We embrace our mixed age class by meeting the needs of individuals and embracing the opportunities that are provided by both curriculums.

Information about Early Years

Please find below information that you may find useful concerning Early Years.

"Every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to fulfil their potential. Children develop quickly in the early years and a child’s experiences between birth and age five have a major impact on their future life chances. A secure, safe and happy childhood is important in its own right. Good parenting and high quality early learning together provide the foundation children need to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow up."

DFE: Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage (March 2021)

Areas of Learning

The Prime Areas of Learning begin to develop quickly in response to relationships and experiences, and run through and support learning in all other areas.

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development

• Communication and Language

• Physical Development

The Specific Areas of Learning include essential skills and knowledge for children to participate successfully in society.

• Literacy

• Mathematics

• Understanding the World

• Expressive Arts and Design

Assessing Progress

Monitoring of each child’s progress throughout the foundation stage is essential to ensure that they are making progress and that particular difficulties in any of the areas of learning, whatever the cause, are identified and addressed. Assessment plays an important part in helping parents, carers and practitioners to recognise children’s progress, understand their needs, and to plan activities and support. Ongoing assessment (also known as formative assessment) is an integral part of the learning and development process. It involves practitioners observing children to understand their level of achievement, interests and learning styles, and to then shape learning experiences for each child reflecting those observations. In their interactions with children, practitioners should respond to their own day-to-day observations about children’s progress and observations that parents and carers share. In the final term of the year in which the child reaches age five, and no later than 30 June in that term, the EYFS Profile must be completed for each child. The Profile provides parents and carers, practitioners and teachers with a well-rounded picture of a child’s knowledge, understanding and abilities, their progress against expected levels, and their readiness for Year 1.

Parents as Partners

At Walton on Trent Primary and Nursery School we work to develop supportive, working relationships that are child centred. When parents and practitioners work together in Early Years settings, the results have a positive impact on the child’s development and learning.

Therefore, we believe a successful partnership needs a two-way flow of information, knowledge and expertise to ensure:

• Children settle into school successfully, we encourage parents to discuss any worries involving their child’s circumstances, interests, competencies and needs.

• Parents are welcome to help out in school once the children have settled in.

• There are evenings throughout the year where you can celebrate your child’s achievements and progress. You are welcome to come and see the class teacher at any other time if you have any worries or concerns.

• Relevant learning and play activities, such as sharing and reading books should also be encouraged at home.

Above all, your child’s first years are an important time to build foundations for life long learning. We hope that you have fun and are motivated to learn together during your journey with us. We look forward to working with you!