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Early Years
Welcome to Wilkinson Primary School
“At Wilkinson we aim to provide a safe, secure and caring environment where everyone is valued. To enable each child to develop emotionally, physically, intellectually, spiritually and socially so that they are able to fulfil their true potential. We hope to give our children a wide variety of experiences which will allow them to make informed choices as they move towards adulthood.”
Mrs C. J. Gibbon, Head Teacher
Our Intent
Our intent is… to provide the children with a range of opportunities and use teaching strategies which allow the children time to explore and learn through play; these experiences will develop their communication, social and physical skills to prepare them for later learning. The children’s listening skills and understanding will develop during more focused adult-led sessions.
The Early Years at Wilkinson Primary School
Early Years at Wilkinson Primary School aims to provide a high standard of education and care for all children. A warm and welcoming atmosphere awaits your child. We provide fun, interesting, relevant and meaningful activities to support children's learning. Children are supported in this in various ways; by positive role modelling, interaction, scaffolding, observation and assessment. We also focus on working one to one with children as well as group learning. There is a wide range of excellent resources; well-planned activities and scope for adventurous and imaginative play both indoors and outdoors. A fantastic outside space, that allows the children to learn in a range of interesting and natural environments, is always in use. Our children are encouraged to play in all the spaces they have available to them. We offer a range of structured more formal learning alongside free play activities during which children are able to demonstrate what they have learnt. Parents and carers are encouraged to participate in their child's learning; at Wilkinson, we stress the importance of parental involvement in order to get the best from your child's early years education. Please use this page to find out about the Early Years at Wilkinson Primary School. You can click the links below to go to each of the Year Group Pages.
Terrific For 2s Tour Video
Coming Soon....
Take a look around Wilkinson Primary School T42s
Nursery Tour Video
Take a look around Wilkinson Primary School Nursery
Reception Tour Video
Take a look around Wilkinson Primary School Reception
The Curriculum
The Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum is separated into three prime areas and four specific areas. All 7 areas of learning are important and inter-connected. Three areas are particularly crucial for developing children's curiosity and enthusiasm for learning as well as for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive. These three areas are the prime areas. Adults must also support children in four specific areas, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied.
Areas of Learning
Communication & Language
Involves giving children opportunities to experience a rich language environment; to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves and to speak and listen in a range of situations.
Physical Development
Children must be helped to understand the importance of physical activity and to make healthy choices in relation to food. At Wilkinson we provide children with the opportunities to be active and interactive and to develop their coordination, control and movement though a range of gross motor and fine motor activities.
Personal, Social & Emotional Development
In order for children to be happy and settled they need to develop personal, social and emotional skills. At Wilkinson we help children to develop a positive sense of themselves and others; to form positive relationships and develop respect for others; to develop social skills and learn how to manage their feelings; to understand appropriate behaviour in groups; and to have confidence in their own abilities.
Literacy
Involves encouraging children to link sounds and letters and to begin to read and write. We give children access to a wide range of reading materials (books, poems and other written materials) to ignite their interest. At Wilkinson we use a phonics reading scheme known as RML to help children learn sounds and develop reading skills. Children are encouraged to mark make and then write across the curriculum in a range of situations.
Mathematics
We follow a unique early years numeracy scheme called Ten Town. We allow children the opportunity to develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems and to describe shapes, spaces and measures.
Understanding the World
Children live in a wide, interesting and diverse world. It is our job to guide children to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment.
Expressive Arts and Design
This is the area where children's creativity can shine through. They are encouraged to explore the many opportunities provided to work with a wide range of media and materials. They are also encouraged to share their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role-play and design & technology.
“I have enjoyed seeing my child gain confidence during the sessions. My child always looks forward to our reading time together, both at school and at home”
Parents' comments about Early Years
“I enjoy watching my child grow and learn. Each time I come he is more independent and knows more so, thank you”
“I enjoy being able to come into her school environment and spending one to one time reading different books to her. My daughter looks forward to these sessions. I personally think it’s great parent partnership!”
“I have enjoyed getting my child really into reading. She wants to read now, as before she wasn’t very interested. These sessions have made reading at home much more fun for my child”