Welcome to Your Child’s First Year at Hallam

Starting school is an exciting milestone, and at Hallam we are dedicated to making your child’s first year a happy, nurturing, and inspiring experience. We believe the Early Years Foundation Stage has the power to shape a child’s future success, wellbeing, and confidence. Our team works hard to ensure children feel safe, valued, and eager to learn from the moment they arrive. 

Our Commitment to the EYFS Statutory Framework

We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework,  which is the national set of standards for all early years providers in England. This framework ensures that every child receives high‑quality learning, care, and developmental support from birth to five, and it guides everything we do in our Reception year.

The EYFS framework outlines expectations for how children learn, how their development should be supported and assessed, and how settings must keep children healthy, safe, and thriving. It ensures that children gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need as they begin their school journey. 

The Four Principles of the EYFS

The EYFS is built on four guiding principles that shape all early years practice. These principles help us understand how children develop and how best to support them.

Each child develops at their own pace. Children learn in different ways, come with their own strengths, and benefit from personalised support and encouragement. 

Warm, supportive relationships are fundamental to ensure children feel safe and confident. They also play a key role in children’s communication, emotional wellbeing, and resilience. 

Children learn best in environments that are stimulating, responsive, and tailored to their needs and interests. A rich environment encourages exploration, independence, curiosity, and belonging.

Children develop through a combination of play, exploration, adult guidance, and first‑hand experiences. The EYFS recognises different ways that children engage with the world around them and values all pathways of learning. 

 

What Your Child Will Experience in Their First Year

Our curriculum themes provide exciting, meaningful opportunities for children to explore a wide range of subjects. Over the year, your child will learn through:

  • Settling into new routines
  • Making friends and learning how to play cooperatively
  • Feeling secure, valued, and confident
  • Talking about similarities and differences
  • Learning about celebrations and cultures across the world
  • Exploring where they live and gaining a sense of place
  • Discovering nature and observing seasonal change
  • Learning about past events and developing a sense of time
  • Understanding the importance of healthy choices and physical activity

 

These experiences help children develop socially, emotionally, physically, and academically. 

Areas of Learning in the EYFS

At the end of the early years stage children are assessed against the statutory framework, to inform school and parents if they have achieved a 'good level of development'

The key areas assessed include:

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

These areas form the essential foundations for all future learning. 

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

These build on the prime areas and broaden children’s knowledge, skills, and understanding.

Reading and Phonics at Hallam

Reading is central to our EYFS curriculum. Children enjoy a rich range of books daily to build vocabulary, imagination, and early comprehension. We teach phonics every day through the Read Write Inc. programme, helping children progress step-by-step from recognising sounds to confident early reading. 

Early Mathematics

Children explore early maths through practical, hands‑on activities designed to build confidence and fluency. They:

  • Count, sort, and compare
  • Recognise patterns
  • Investigate shapes and measures
  • Apply number skills in meaningful play

Working in Partnership With Parents

We know that starting school is a big step for families too. Throughout the EYFS year, we will:

  • Keep you informed about your child’s progress
  • Share ideas for supporting learning at home
  • Invite you to workshops and family events
  • Build strong, trusting relationships between home and school

Together, we ensure your child has the happiest and most successful start to their school journey.