The period from age three to the end of the Reception year is described as the Early Years Foundation Stage. It is a distinct stage and important both in its own right and in preparing children for later schooling.

At Saltford School we have an intake of 60, organised into two classes, Bumblebee Class  and Butterfly Class.

The intent of our whole school curriculum is to ensure our pupils develop the necessary skills, knowledge and attitude to achieve fulfilling lives.  The EYFS department is the start of our pupils’ school journey towards achieving this important purpose.  

In Reception we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum. This curriculum is broad and varied and enables the children to learn how to be learners through engagement, enthusiasm, curiosity and play. We are guided by, and highly value, the four themes that make up the principles of the EYFS:

• A unique child
• Positive relationships
• Enabling environments
• Learning and development

The EYFS is based on seven areas of learning:

• Communication and Language
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
• Physical Development
• Maths
• Literacy
• Understanding of the World
• Expressive Arts and Design

At Saltford we use the EYFS curriculum to identify the Characteristics of Effective Learning. This shows us how each child engages with other people and their environment, how they play and explore, if they are active learners and if they are creating and thinking critically. we provide opportunities for children to explore and take risks through child initiated play and teacher directed activities indoors as well as outdoors. Our aim is to help each child reach their full potential.

We observe children through child initiated play as well as teacher led activities. We use these observations to assess each child using the EYFS curriculum which informs us for each individual’s next steps.  We use ‘Seesaw’, an online learning journal, to document learning and the most special moments to them both at school and home and capture the child’s voice and perspective of their own learning. Seesaw offers a valuable communication tool between parents, who are able to access this securely, and school.

We value our partnership with parents and offer several curriculum evenings to support their understanding of their child’s education. A welcome evening in June, a Literacy workshop in September and a Maths workshop in October.  We hold regular ‘Access Afternoons’ where the children share their work and classroom environment with parents/carers.

Children have regular taught sessions of Phonics, Maths and Literacy. 

For Phonics we follow the Read Write Inc Scheme

For Maths we follow The White Rose Scheme and NCETM Mastering Number

In Reception we welcome visitors and go on visits throughout the year. Children enjoy a variety of enhancing experiences that ensure what they are learning comes alive for them. There are daily opportunities for outdoor learning in the EYFS area. We our proud to note that Reception children participate in all our concerts, the Nativity and school wide events.

At Saltford transition from pre-school to Reception is a real strength. We offer stay and play sessions, where parents/carers can come for half an hour and interact with their child in their school environment; storytime sessions, where the children get used to their new setting with the class teacher and EYFS team and visit and speak to staff in their nurseries and pre-schools. This ensures we have as rounded a picture of the child prior to them joining us in September.

For a detailed breakdown of our intentions for all curriculum areas please see here.

For more information about your child’s class do see our Bumblebee and Butterfly Class pages.

Please see our ‘Starting school in 2026’ section here for lots of information on what school life is really like at Saltford, how you can best support your child as they prepare for this exciting step and how to apply smoothly.