Early Years Foundation Stage

At Galliard we offer high quality early education from our two year old provision to Reception. We are committed to giving children the best possible start to their education.

Galliard Primary School

Please take some time to watch our amazing Nursery video

• For admissions information please Click here
• To visit our year group pages select Terrific Twos, Nursery or Reception

Welcome to the Early Years at Galliard!

We offer a child-centred curriculum where the children develop their knowledge and skills through play.  Children are given the time and space to explore their own play in child-initiated activities which are then consolidated and extended through adult-led activities.

Our practice is shaped by four guiding principles: 

• every child is a unique child
• positive relationships
• enabling environments with teaching and support from adults
• learning and development

Each setting from the Terrific Twos, to Nursery and then Reception provides developmentally appropriate learning opportunities.  Practitioners effectively build on previous learning, therefore ensuring progress between the age groups.

Our broad and exciting curriculum is based on the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework and ‘Development Matters’ guidance, along with children’s interests and developmental needs. The curriculum is designed to give children the knowledge and understanding needed to prepare them for year 1 and beyond. This is taught through our continuous provision which is supplemented by core book story activities. Our school curriculum is driven by the children’s interests and from this we have developed early years curriculum maps for key subject areas which link our provision to the concepts and knowledge in the national curriculum taught in key stages 1 and 2.

A key feature throughout our provision is developing children’s language and vocabulary.  We do this through the stories we read, our interactions with the children and our language and communication rich environments.  We provide lots of opportunities to develop children’s familiarity with stories, songs, poems and rhymes throughout, from the Terrific 2s to Reception.

Reading

Reading is central to our curriculum and it is crucial for children to develop a life-long love of reading. Understanding and enjoyment of books is supported through daily story time and sharing books in all year groups. We use Core Books and Poetry Basket in Nursery and Core Books and The Power of Reading programme in Reception. The Power of Reading programme immerses children in high quality books, involves lots of talk and role play and fosters a love of reading and writing.

We develop children’s writing through spoken language and the comprehension of stories.

Phonics

Phonics teaching is based on ‘letters and sounds’ in nursery, and moves on to ‘Read Write Inc’ in Reception. This is taught systematically with daily sessions, in groups, so that teaching can be targeted at children’s levels. Children who need extra help are given individual tuition.

Maths

Maths is taught through concrete, meaningful experiences aimed at developing children’s conceptual understanding. We follow the ‘White Rose Maths Hub’ scheme in Reception, and this carries on through the school.

Early Years Principles

Throughout the Early Years at Galliard the children are given long periods of uninterrupted time and space to play.  Play is essential for children’s development, building their confidence as they learn to explore, relate to others, set their own goals and solve problems.  Children learn by leading their own play, and by taking part in play which is guided by adults.  Particular emphasis is placed on rich enabling learning environments so children can be independent to choose their own learning, explore and discover.  All areas of learning are available inside and outside and these are facilitated by the adult’s effective interactions.  Children can access resources by themselves, make choices, follow their own interests and extend their own learning independently. This all leads to greater involvement and deeper learning.

Outdoor learning

We place a strong emphasis on the importance of outdoor learning throughout our provision. This has many benefits, including contributing to health and wellbeing, and in developing the ‘whole child’. Children are often more confident outside, and outdoor play offers great opportunities for experiencing the natural world, and active learning and exploration, as well as elements of risk and challenge. We have extensive outdoor learning environments and a system of ‘free-flow’ whereby children can choose to play and learn inside or outside for a large part of the session.

Interactions and the characteristics of effective learning

Much of our teaching is through interactions. Adults observe the children closely, and join in (‘intervene’) sensitively with their play, to extend their language and thinking, and develop their knowledge and skills. We support the ‘Characteristics of effective learning’ (‘playing and exploring’, ‘active learning’ and ‘creating and thinking critically’) developing confident, resilient, independent learners throughout the early years. We encourage good attitudes to learning, such as curiosity, concentration and willingness to ‘have a go’, in everything we do.

Seamless provision

All these aspects run through the early years at Galliard, so that children become familiar and confident with this way of learning, and move seamlessly from one year group to the next. They are ready for the next stage, settle in quickly and continue to make good progress.

Our aim is for children to leave the EYFS as confident, happy, independent, resilient learners, emotionally and academically ready for Year one.

Visits and Open Days

If you would like to find out more, please email the school to arrange a visit: office@galliard.enfield.sch.uk or call 020 8804 1818.

Admissions

Our Early Years Department currently offers:

Caterpillar Class – provision for 2yr olds – Two classes for 2 year olds (morning or afternoon) – part of Enfield’s ‘Terrific Twos’ programme. To apply:

 

• Check eligibility with ‘Terrific Twos’ – text ‘Terrific’ to 81025, or apply online Click here
• Register at the Nursery office (show confirmation text as proof of eligibility)

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Four Nursery classes (morning or afternoon). Children start Nursery the September after they turn three.

• Apply online  Click here

We provide 30 hours provision across four days for working parents.  Search 30 hours funding to see if you are eligible.

Rising 3s – children are eligible to start the term after they turn three, in January or April.  To apply:

• Apply for a Nursery place Click here
• Let the Nursery office know you are interested in a Three Year Old place – email: pemberton@galliard.enfield.sch.uk or call 020 8804 1818

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Three Reception classes (full time). Children start in Reception the September after they turn four.

• Apply online Click here