Within St Ebbe’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Year 1, we teach through a play-based curriculum, providing a rich learning environment designed to nurture and pique children’s innate curiosities. We celebrate success, learn from failure, encourage independence and value every child as an individual. Our priority is to create a fun, motivating and happy environment which enables all children to thrive.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

“Play can be broadly defined as an enjoyable activity that is pursued for pleasure or its own sake. It can be contrasted with activities that have explicitly defined learning outcomes, or games, which are likely to have clearer rules or a competitive element. Play-based activities might be solitary or social, and involve a combination of cognitive and physical elements. Activities might be adult-guided, for example through the suggestion of a scenario for pretend play. In other cases, activities will be largely child-initiated (“free-play”), with adult involvement focused on the provision of props, or the design and management of the learning environment.” (Education Endowment Fund)

Watch our video to learn about a typical ‘Day in Reception’

Early Years Policy

Year 1

In Year 1 at St. Ebbe’s, children continue to learn through play-based pedagogy. Teachers teach explicit knowledge and skills and then set the classroom up with activities which embed and enhance what the children are learning.

Year 1 Policy

To follow

For a useful summary of why play is so important for children, especially in the first few years of their education, please read the article below.