Early Years

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Our Early Years provision was graded as outstanding by Ofsted in February 2020.

Learning in the Early Years (nursery and reception) is the foundation for all future learning. It is in these years that children learn to socialise, to share, and how to be a friend. They get used to being in a situation where the needs of many may sometimes be more important than what they want - a real change for some!

The importance of play cannot be overstated, but there is also direct teaching where necessary.

EYFS core entitlement

At Cranbourne we believe that all children are entitled to a core knowledge. We do not believe that this can necessarily be covered through relying on the children’s interests to shape the curriculum. The themes below have been specifically selected to ensure that the children leave early years with the tier 1 vocabulary they need, plus tier 2 and tier 3 vocabulary which will enable disadvantaged children to access wider learning as well as children who may have wider opportunities outside school.

Term

Topic

 Key Vocabulary

All year

Seasons/ Weather

sun, rain, cloud, snow, wind, hail, fog, summer, autumn, winter, spring

Autumn

Ourselves/ Body part

hair/eye/skin colour, arm, leg, hand, fingers, thumb, elbow, knee, foot, toes, back, neck, shoulders

Autumn

Dinosaurs

extinct, carnivore, herbivore, omnivore, teeth, skin/scales, horns, tyrannosaurus rex, diplodocus, pterodactyl (not a dinosaur), triceratops, stegosaurus, fossils

Autumn

Toys/ The past

old, new, the past, the present, plastic, wood, metal

 

Spring

Basic geography

map, Hoddesdon, England, island, land, sea

Spring

Space

Earth, Moon, stars, Sun, rocket, planets

Spring

Journeys/ Transport

rail, road, air, train, bus, aeroplane, ship, boat, walking, travel, holiday, close, far away, traffic, roundabout, passenger, driver, pilot, track, carriage

Spring

People who help us/ Jobs

nurse, doctor, vet, police officer, fire fighter, teacher, lollipop person

Summer

Plants & animals

tree, flower, leaf, roots, grow, water

farm, woodland, wild, sea life, young, names of key animals

 

Summer

Habitats

woodland, desert, ocean/sea, rainforest, polar regions