Giving your child the very best start

Starting school is a big step, and at Bawnmore we make sure it’s a happy, exciting and nurturing one.

Our Early Years team are experts in supporting young children. They create a warm, welcoming environment where every child feels safe, valued and ready to learn.

Our Approach

We know that children learn best when they are:

• Happy and settled
• Curious and confident
• Able to explore and try things out for themselves
• Encouraged to talk, ask questions and share ideas
• Surrounded by kind adults who know them well

That’s why our curriculum is built around purposeful play, meaningful learning, and strong personal relationships.

A golden thread runs through everything we do: the belief that emotional wellbeing, strong relationships and a love of learning help children thrive.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

We follow the statutory EYFS framework, which sets out the key areas of learning and how children develop.

The 7 Areas of Learning are:

Prime Areas (the foundations for all other learning):

• Communication and Language – speaking, listening and understanding
• Physical Development – movement, coordination and self-care
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development – relationships, emotions, and self-confidence

Specific Areas (which build on the prime areas):

• Literacy – reading and early writing
• Mathematics – number, shape, pattern and problem-solving
• Understanding the World – people, places, nature and technology
• Expressive Arts and Design – music, art, imagination and creativity

The Characteristics of Effective Learning are how children learn best:

• Playing and exploring – being curious, trying new things
• Active learning – staying focused and not giving up
• Thinking creatively and critically – having their own ideas and solving problems

These characteristics underpin everything we do and are key to how we help children become confident, lifelong learners.

What Learning Looks Like

Each day is full of hands-on experiences, both inside and outside. Children learn through areas like water play, construction, small world, painting, role play, writing, maths, and nature-based exploration.

We use inspiring books and exciting themes to guide our learning. Children complete our Rainbow Challenges each week, which encourage them to try a variety of activities independently and develop a wide range of skills.

Special experiences—like visitors, themed days, and celebration events—bring learning to life and help create lasting memories.

Building the Whole Child

At Bawnmore, we nurture the whole child. This means we focus not only on reading, writing and number skills—but also on independence, resilience, friendship, confidence and creativity.

Children are supported to follow their interests and take on new challenges at their own pace. Teachers carefully guide learning through rich conversations, well-planned activities and individual support.

By the end of Reception, our children leave Early Years as confident, enthusiastic learners who are ready for the next stage of their journey—with a love of learning that stays with them.