Applebee Wood School – EYFS Overview
At Applebee Wood School, our vision for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is “Together we learn, play and grow!’
In Acorn Class, our youngest pupils learn, play, and grow in a positive, nurturing environment where every child is supported to achieve their full potential. Our curriculum lays strong foundations for future learning, celebrates individuality, and builds on each child's unique strengths and interests.
Children in our EYFS class follow the Prime and Specific Areas of Learning as set out in the Early Years Framework.
Prime Areas of Learning These core skills are at the heart of early learning and development:
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Communication and Language
- Physical Development
Specific Areas of Learning These areas strengthen and deepen children’s learning through meaningful, engaging activities:
- Mathematics
- Literacy
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts and Design
As part of the Physical Development prime area, children have dedicated opportunities to access the hall and take part in activities aligned with their curriculum targets.
RE is delivered through the Understanding the World area—specifically within “People and Communities.” This learning is further enriched during whole‑school assemblies.
Each pupil at Applebee Wood School has personalised targets linked to their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). These are delivered through a blend of one‑to‑one focused sessions, small group learning, and whole‑class activities.
These sessions—known as Key Skills—are guided by each child’s Key Skills Care Plan, which outlines their priority developmental targets. These often include essential “learning to learn” skills such as:
- Attention and listening
- Turn‑taking
- Engagement
- Participation in adult‑led activities
Key Skills sessions are embedded into the daily routine across the school.
Our EYFS curriculum is immersive, theme‑based, and play‑centred, taking a holistic approach. Half - termly topics and hands‑on activities support progress across all developmental areas—cognitive, social, physical, and emotional. While we offer a structured curriculum, we fully recognise and respond to the individual learning profiles of each child. To support this, pupils have access to additional elements of our wider 3‑Part Curriculum, ensuring they receive the tailored support and opportunities they need to thrive.
We believe that strong, trusting relationships between home and school are essential for children’s success. Our approach to home learning is designed to help pupils generalise their skills across different settings. We offer a range of opportunities for families to engage in their child’s journey, including:
- Workshops and training sessions
- Meet‑and‑greet opportunities
- Parents’ evenings
- A target‑setting review in the first term
- On-going communication and support
By working together, we ensure that the skills pupils develop in school are meaningfully reinforced at home, enabling every child to flourish.
We are committed to supporting families every step of the way.