Welcome to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) at Kinsale Infant School! We are delighted to begin this exciting educational journey with you and your child. Our Reception year is designed to be a time of discovery, where we nurture each "unique child" to help them grow in confidence and curiosity.

Our Ethos: The Joy of Learning

At the heart of our EYFS provision is the whole-school ethos of the Joy of Not Knowing (JONK). We encourage children to embrace new challenges through the "Characteristics of Effective Learning," which include:

• Playing and Exploring: Investigating and experiencing things.
• Active Learning: Keeping on trying if they encounter difficulties.
• Creative and Critical Thinking: Developing their own ideas.

How We Support Your Child

We provide a balance of continuous and enhanced provision, meaning that while we have planned learning focuses, we also adapt the environment to follow the children’s interests. Our curriculum covers seven key areas of learning to ensure your child develops into a well-rounded individual:

• Prime Areas: Communication and Language; Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED); and Physical Development.
• Specific Areas: Literacy, Maths, Understanding the World, and Expressive Arts and Design.

To support their academic growth, we use specific, proven frameworks:

• Phonics: Daily lessons using Essential Letters and Sounds.
• Maths: Daily sessions using the White Rose framework and NCETM Mastering Number for fluency.
• Literacy: We use high-quality texts to inspire story mapping and the creation of new characters and events.

A Year of Adventures

Our curriculum is organised into half-termly themes that capture the children’s imaginations:

• Autumn: We begin with "Getting to Know You," focusing on building relationships, followed by "Awe and Wonder," where we explore different celebrations and traditions.
• Spring: We move from "Ordinary into the Extraordinary" to develop imagination, then explore "New Life" by studying the natural world and life cycles.
• Summer: We dive into traditional tales in "Happy Ever After" and practice map work before finally focusing on "Moving Up and Moving On" to prepare for the transition to Year 1.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

We believe in enhancing "cultural capital" by taking learning outside. Throughout the year, your child will enjoy:

• Seasonal walks to observe changes in nature.
• Special events like the Nativity play, a Diwali dance visitor, and a theatre trip.
• Hands-on experiences, such as caring for tadpoles, class visits, and our popular "Fun with Water Day".

We look forward to working in partnership with you to ensure your child has a happy, busy, and successful first year at school!