We know that if we get it right in the Early Years we give every child their best ever starting point for success in the future. We offer a very broad and balanced curriculum that values every area of the curriculum equally. Developing language is at the heart of everything we do and building children’s vocabulary is key. Children are taught to read and write through our structured synthetic phonics programme of letters and sounds. Close partnerships with parents are fundamental in Early years and parents have many opportunities to come into school to see their child at work, plus varied workshops are offered to them. We strive to provide inspiring environments that create awe and wonder that we develop alongside children’s interests.

We have kept environments very natural and have developed wonderful loose parts areas which have been key for developing communication, language and imaginative play. We aim to give every child the tools to become an enthusiastic, confident and competent reader by providing a literacy-rich environment, high quality engaging texts and inspiring reading opportunities.

It is our intent that a child leaving the early years from West Croft will:

• Have a life-long love of learning.
• Access the phonics programme and make rapid progress from their starting points.
• Have a passion for reading and have a high regard for books and reading.
• Have a rich vocabulary which will deepen the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.
• Have a passion to explore the world around them and want to find out more.

We will strive to:

• To provide enabling environments that offers challenge to all children.
• To ensure all children access the curriculum.
• To create strong partnerships with parents that continue through the school.
• To deliver a creative and broad curriculum that values play and offers a balance of child initiated and adult initiated tasks