Yew Tree Community School

EYFS at Yew Tree

 Welcome to Early Years at Yew Tree Community School

At Yew Tree Community School, your child is at the heart of everything we do. Our Early Years team is passionate about giving children the very best start to their learning journey—one filled with imagination, curiosity and joyful discovery.

We believe young children learn best when they feel safe, valued and excited to explore. Our classrooms and outdoor areas are designed to spark children’s interest, nurture their natural curiosity, and provide countless opportunities to play, create, imagine and learn together.

Our aim is simple: to help every child grow into a confident, happy and well-rounded learner, ready for the adventures ahead.

Our Approach

Inspired by the EYFS Principles

We follow the four guiding principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which shape everything we do:

Every child is unique
We celebrate each child’s individuality, supporting them to become capable, resilient and independent learners.

Positive, caring relationships
Children learn best when they feel secure. Our staff build warm relationships that help children settle quickly and thrive.

Enabling, inspiring environments
Our indoor and outdoor spaces are filled with rich experiences that invite children to imagine, explore and follow their interests.

Learning in different ways and at different rates
We tailor learning to each child, ensuring that every child—including those with additional needs—feels supported and included.

How Children Learn

The EYFS highlights three “Characteristics of Effective Learning,” which we nurture every day:

• Playing and exploring – children investigate, follow their curiosity and ‘have a go’.
• Active learning – children concentrate, keep trying and enjoy achieving small steps.
• Creating and thinking critically – children develop their own ideas, solve problems and make connections in their learning.

Our staff carefully observe how children play, think and explore so we can build on their interests and support their next steps.

Areas of Learning

The EYFS curriculum is built around seven areas of learning, which help children develop skills for life.

Prime Areas

These are the most important building blocks for learning:

• Communication and Language
• Physical Development
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Specific Areas

These areas help children deepen and apply their learning:

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the World
• Expressive Arts and Design

You’ll see creativity woven throughout our curriculum—whether children are storytelling, building, painting, investigating nature or taking part in imaginative play.

Assessment in the Early Years

We want parents to feel fully informed and reassured about how we support and track your child’s progress.

Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA)

During the first six weeks of Reception, all children complete the statutory Baseline Assessment. This is a short, practical and child-friendly activity that helps us understand your child’s starting point so we can support their learning right from the beginning.

Ongoing observations

Throughout the year, our team observes children as they play and learn. These observations help us spot what they enjoy, what they can do and what will help them move forward.

Good Level of Development (GLD)

At the end of Reception, you will receive your child’s Early Years Foundation Stage Profile, showing their progress across all areas. Children achieve a Good Level of Development if they meet the expected goals in all prime areas, plus literacy and mathematics.

Working Together

We value our partnership with parents and carers. When school and home work together, children thrive. We welcome your involvement, whether through open days, workshops, reading at home or simply sharing special moments from your child’s learning.