Our EYFS Intent

EYFS at The Acorns Primary & Nursery School

INTENT: Why Do We Teach What We Teach

At The Acorns Primary & Nursery School, we place great value on the development of children as individuals.  Our aim in the EYFS is to build strong foundations rooted in our ‘Rights Respecting’ and ‘No Outsiders’ approach, so that our pupils can be successful, active citizens and curious life-long learners. 

Our concept of progress ensures that children become more knowledgeable and skilled as well as being able to sustain and develop critically important learning behaviours. We intend for our children to be able to refine and adapt cognitive processes to realise, express and communicate their progress and new learning.

Many of our pupils arrive well below national expectations for their age, and a high proportion of our pupils come from disadvantaged backgrounds with complex needs.  Communication and Language and Conflict Resolution are prioritised immediately.  Our enabling environment and warm, skillful adult interactions support all children as they begin to link learning to their play and exploration.

We aim to:

• Build positive relationships by working in partnership with parents and carers to facilitate independent, intrinsically motivated, engaged learners who thrive in school and reach their full potential from their various starting points.

• To understand each unique child by following their interests and providing opportunities through our ambitious, broad and balanced EYFS curriculum to support learning, consolidate and deepen knowledge and ensure children meet their next steps.

• To create indoor and outdoor environments which enable children to take risks that steer them beyond their current capabilities.

• To prepare children to reach the Early Learning Goals at the end of the Foundation Stage and ensure children make good progress from their starting points and transition successfully to KS1.