EarLy Years at Rowledge
Starting school is a very special milestone, and at Rowledge C of E Primary School we work hard to make every child’s first school experience happy, positive and full of excitement.
Our Reception class is a warm, welcoming and nurturing environment where children begin their learning journey with confidence, curiosity and a strong sense of belonging. Rooted in our Christian values of Honesty, Kindness and Respect, we help every child feel safe, valued and ready to thrive.
We know that children learn best when they feel secure, supported and inspired. Our Early Years team builds strong relationships with every child and family, creating a partnership that helps children settle quickly and flourish from the very start.
Making the best Start
Before children even begin school, our class teacher and Learning Support Assistants visit families at home and in their nursery/pre-school setting. This helps children meet familiar faces in a place where they feel most comfortable and allows us to begin building strong relationships with both children and parents from the very beginning.
Each child is known as an individual, and we take time to understand their interests, strengths and starting points so that their learning journey is tailored to them.
Our school day runs from 8:55am to 3:20pm, and children benefit from access to both our indoor classroom and our dedicated outdoor EYFS learning area, allowing them to move freely between spaces and explore through hands-on experiences.
Learning Through Play, Exploration & Investigation
In EYFS, children learn through a mixture of adult-led teaching and child-initiated play. We believe purposeful play is one of the most powerful ways children learn, helping them to develop independence, resilience and confidence.
Children are encouraged to investigate, explore and ask questions through our “Exploration and Investigation” approach, where they can free-flow between indoor and outdoor learning spaces throughout the day.
Our curriculum follows the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and is built around 7 areas of learning.
The Prime Areas
These form the foundations for all future learning:
- Communication and Language
- Physical Development
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
The Specific Areas
These strengthen and build upon the prime areas:
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts and Design
Through these areas, children develop the essential skills, knowledge and attitudes they need for school and for life.
Our Values
At Rowledge, our values of Honesty, Kindness and Respect are woven into everyday life.
In Reception, this might look like:
- learning to share and take turns kindly
- speaking honestly about feelings and experiences
- showing respect for others, ourselves and our environment
- building positive friendships
- learning how to listen, cooperate and solve problems together
These values help children grow not only as learners, but as thoughtful, caring members of our school community.
Inclusion
We believe every child deserves the best possible start.
Our EYFS provision is carefully planned to ensure that all children can access learning, make progress and feel successful. Staff adapt teaching to meet individual needs and provide challenge and support at the right level for every child.
Where children may need additional support, we work closely with families, our SENCo and external professionals where appropriate to ensure every child is fully included and supported.
No child gets left behind.
Working With Parents
We know that children achieve the most when school and home work closely together.
We value strong communication with parents and carers and keep families regularly updated through:
-
Weekly updates to parents
- regular observations shared through Tapestry
- termly parent consultations
- end-of-year reports and EYFS Profile outcomes
Parents know their children best, and we see them as essential partners in every child’s development.
Together, we celebrate successes, support challenges and help children feel confident in both school and home life.
Preparing for Next Steps
As children grow in confidence and independence, we gradually help them prepare for the transition into Key Stage 1.
By the end of Reception, children leave EYFS with strong foundations in learning, friendships and personal development—ready for Year 1 and ready for the next stage of their Rowledge journey.
Most importantly, they leave knowing they are valued, capable and part of a school community built on kindness, honesty and respect.