Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum at Cromwell Academy

At Cromwell Academy, our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum is designed to provide a nurturing, stimulating, and inclusive start to your child’s educational journey. As a 1 FE primary academy with an integrated pre-school, we cater for children aged 2 to 5 years, ensuring a seamless and supportive progression into Reception and beyond. Our approach reflects our core values of Readiness, Resilience, Relationships, Responsibility, and Reflection, creating a firm foundation for lifelong learning.

A Happy and Positive Start

Our Reception year is focused on ensuring that every child feels happy, safe, and confident as they begin life at Cromwell Academy. We follow the national EYFS Framework, which balances active learning through self-directed play with structured teaching and learning activities. This blend encourages children to explore, investigate, and engage in meaningful discussions, fostering curiosity and independence — key aspects of our school vision to help children dream, believe and achieve.

Our Curriculum Approach

We provide a safe, challenging, and caring environment that respects and responds to the unique needs and interests of each child. Our broad and flexible curriculum is designed to help every child flourish and reach their full potential. We value the experiences children bring, observing their play to carefully assess development and plan next steps.

The EYFS curriculum is built around 17 Early Learning Goals, all of which are equally important and interconnected. These goals help us nurture the whole child, reflecting our commitment to educating beyond academics to include social and emotional growth.

Areas of Learning in EYFS

Communication and Language
We create a rich language environment where children develop confidence to express themselves and listen attentively. This supports strong communication skills essential for success across all subjects and life.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Children learn to form positive relationships, manage their feelings, and develop respect for others. They build confidence and understand how to behave appropriately in groups — laying the groundwork for resilience and strong social skills.

Physical Development
Opportunities for active, interactive play help develop coordination, control, and movement. We focus on both gross motor skills (like running and jumping) and fine motor skills (such as holding a pencil), supporting children’s physical readiness for school tasks.

Literacy
Literacy is developed through linking sounds and letters to begin reading and writing. We use the Read Write Inc. phonics scheme, supplemented by carefully selected reading materials including Oxford Reading Tree and Jelly and Bean books, to build fluency and enjoyment in reading.

Mathematics
Children develop counting skills, number understanding, and simple addition and subtraction, while exploring patterns and relationships within numbers, fostering a positive attitude towards maths.

Understanding the World
We encourage exploration of the physical world and community, helping children make sense of their environment through observation and discovery.

Expressive Arts and Design
Creativity is celebrated through art, music, dance, role-play, and design activities, allowing children to express their ideas and feelings in diverse ways

Characteristics of Effective Learning

Beyond what children learn, we focus on how they learn. Observing children’s approaches to learning informs how we support their individual styles and needs. This aligns with our values of Reflection and Responsibility, helping children become independent and motivated learners.

Assessment and Communication with Families

Assessment is ongoing and interactive. Our staff engage with children’s play to support and assess their learning continually. We use the Tapestry app to share a digital learning journal with parents, keeping you connected with your child’s progress through regular updates and observations.

Our Commitment

At Cromwell Academy, the EYFS curriculum embodies our vision to nurture well-rounded individuals who are ready to take on future challenges with confidence and curiosity. We are proud to provide a modern, well-resourced environment where children can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.