Cherry Tree Academy Trust

Learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage

Children who arrive at Cherry Tree bring with them a wonderful wealth of experiences, from local, national and international families and settings. Here at Cherry Tree we firmly believe that each of these experiences make our children unique and therefore planning their learning, and progression, must be individual to the child.

With play and exploration fundamental to learning in our academy, we ensure that children learn through first-hand experiences. This they achieve by actively ‘doing’ as well as through scaffolding and modelling by adults. We understand that effective learning builds on and extends what our children know and can do independently. All adults in the Early Years Foundation Stage understand and contribute to children's learning and assessments. The children know all adults in the EYFS area and confidently interact with staff outside their immediate teaching team. 

Driven by our love of books, we follow the children's interests in our planning. Our planning shows how the principles of the EYFS will be put into practice and is always informed by observations and assessments we have made of the children, considering their current interests, development and learning. 

Click here to see what we will be learning about this year

Our learning extends outside the classroom, into our large outdoor area and beyond. By making the most of our indoor and outdoor environments we encourage children to develop the characteristics of effective, active learning, playing, exploring, creating and thinking critically. We strongly encourage an age appropriate, growing level of independence and resilience so that children develop a perseverance that will support learning both now, and in the future. 

Our Enhanced Curriculum 

We want the children to thoroughly enjoy each age and stage of their childhood. We enhance and extend our Curriculum through learning and being outside. FAB Fridays will see all children engaged in lessons outside that build on the skills they have learnt during the week. They apply their learning to real life, making the very most of our wonderful environment and supportive community. Similarly, we extend the children's understanding of the world around them through Life Skills and learning how to use Makaton to sign. Your Teaching Team will let you know what is being taught, and when, through regular updates. 

We know that the strongest partnership with families build the very best foundations for children's learning. We share children's learning and progress with their families, and their families are encouraged to share the children's experiences from home.