EYFS

At Kings Norton we believe that children’s first experience of school should be happy, positive and fun. We provide all children with the knowledge, skills and understanding they need through a broad and balanced curriculum. We encourage children to be confident, curious and independent learners in order to succeed throughout their school journey.  

Our Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum is designed to support all children to progress from their individual starting points by building their confidence and self-belief, and allowing them to take risks and overcome challenges they may face. Through a language-rich environment we maximise opportunities for meaningful cross-curricular links and learning experiences, as well as promoting the unique child by offering extended periods of play and sustained thinking following children’s interests and ideas. We value imagination and creativity, and seek to create a sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning through continuous indoor and outdoor provision, alongside trips, visits and regular forest school sessions.  

The EYFS is organised into seven areas of learning and development. The Prime Areas are Communication and Language, Physical Development and Personal, Social and Emotional Development. The Specific Areas are Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding of the Word and Expressive Arts and Design.  

Each area of learning and development is implemented through planned purposeful play using a mix of adult-led and child-initiated activities. Practitioners respond to each child’s emerging needs and interests, and guide their development through warm, positive interactions.  

The weekly timetable is organised to allow daily English, Phonics and Maths teaching sessions around high-quality Continuous Provision. Reading is at the heart of our curriculum, and we nurture a love of reading through a range of good quality texts including fiction, non-fiction, rhymes and poems. We follow the Little Wandle Phonics programme to ensure children become independent readers. At Kings Norton we follow the White Rose approach to maths which embeds mathematical thinking and talk to develop the understanding of number, shape, measure and spatial thinking.  

Our Continuous Provision ensures children progress and develop independence and problem-solving skills, while providing opportunities for challenge.  

Children develop their characteristics of learning and are able to apply their knowledge to a range of situations making links and explaining their ideas and understanding. Children are confident to take risks and can think creatively and solve problems alongside others. From their own starting points, children will make progress academically, emotionally and socially, developing a sense of themselves so that they are prepared for Key Stage 1.  

What our parents think...

“Our child has come on leaps and bounds since starting here. We were so impressed with how the school navigated the transition from nursery to school. The school is so encouraging of the children and we love to see all the wonderful things the teachers and staff do to help make the children shine. We’d thoroughly recommend the school to anyone and we can’t wait to see how the children thrive over the next years. 

"We started our school journey with Kings Norton in September 2024 when our daughter went into Reception. She can be a little quiet and shy in new situations, but we were immediately put at ease by the lovely staff and the phased integration for the children. She quickly started to develop her reading and writing skills, and really enjoyed PE and the explore and learn sessions. She'd even come home and carry on 'playing schools', practicing her phonics and maths. The teaching staff had obviously ignited her love of learning whilst keeping it fun.

Our daughter would go into and come out of school happy everyday, which is the best testament we can give. She thrived in Reception and has now gone into Year 1 very confidently. Thanks so much to all of the Reception teachers and TAs for their dedication and kindness!"

"My son had a wonderful experience in Reception last year, he has grown so much in confidence, resilience and independence and it’s all thanks to the incredibly well staffed reception team, they are amazing. The Reception classroom and outdoor environment is great, such a great space for children to play and learn." 

"We have nothing but positive things to say about KNPS Reception. I felt like the staff adapted different teaching techniques to the different needs of each child, creating a fun and stress-free learning environment for all! My son absolutely loved it and I know his siblings will also."

"I couldn't of asked for a better start to school than my son had in reception. The staff were all amazing, he was always happy, and has made so many lovely friendships. His reading and learning have come on so well. A big thank you to all the teachers for giving such a happy loving positive start to school life." 

"I was quite anxious about my son starting Reception, needless to say I cried on the 1st day. It wasn't a school we chose initially but rapidly became the best choice for my son. The teachers in Reception and the TA's were like a family to us and my son couldn't wait to go and tell his teachers what adventures he had been on, seeing how much my son loved school settled my mind immensely. All the little things here and there from greeting them at the gates to the way they are spoken and listened to when telling stories and the motivation and encouragement they give the children that I loved. I always thought being a year behind some children that he would struggle but he left Reception exactly where he needed to be thanks to all the Reception staff. I know they have had a huge impact on my sons education and I couldnt have wished for a better start to my sons learning journey."