Early Years (PreSchool)

Introduction

Brookdale Early Years is a setting run by the governors and leadership team of Brookdale Primary School. The setting was established in 1997 as a separate organisation within Brookdale Primary School and made the decision to merge with the main school in September 2022.  Children can attend from 2 years 6 months and we accept 2, 3, and 4-year-old funding. Our main intake is September and, depending on availability, we may have a January intake.

If you are interested in putting your child's name down, please do not hesitate to contact the school office or download, complete and return the application form below. You can also access further information in the files section below.

You can find our Early Years Policy and Early Years Assessment Policy on this page: 
https://www.brookdaleprimaryschool.co.uk/page/policies/54329 

***PLEASE NOTE THAT A PLACE IN BROOKDALE EARLY YEARS DOES NOT GUARANTEE YOUR CHILD A PLACE IN THE MAIN SCHOOL***

• Our Ethos is to provide high-quality, safe and inclusive child care that adheres to the themes and commitments of the Early Years Foundation Stage. 
• We have a commitment to building positive relationships while working in partnership with parents/carers and working closely with other agencies to ensure that the children in our care are receiving the best possible start to their education.
• We will provide an enabling environment, both inside and out, that offers a wide variety of experiences and activities that will help all children to develop to their full potential during their time with us.
• In order to help us to monitor the success of these experiences and activities and their part in child development, we observe the children 'at play' and use these observations to help us make informed decisions in our planning to cater to the individual needs of the children. We view each child as unique.
• In order to ensure the children's learning and development needs are met, we plan using the principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage and ensure that all planning is flexible and allows for spontaneity and for the ideas of the children to be explored.

Wraparound Care

Children attending Brookdale Early Years have access to Acorns, the main school's wraparound care provision which is managed by Mr Knapton. You can find out more about Acorns, including opening times and prices using the link below.

https://www.brookdaleprimaryschool.co.uk/page/acorns-wrap-around-care/54164 

What is the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework is a government document that all Schools and Ofsted-registered Early Years providers in England must follow. The standards ensure your child will learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe.

This is a very important stage as it helps your child get ready for school as well as preparing them for their future learning and successes, from when your child is born until the age of 5.

Their early years experiences should be happy, active, exciting, fun and secure, as well as supporting their development, care and learning needs.

Overarching Principles

Our practice is shaped by the four guiding principles of the EYFS.

1. Every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.
   
   
2. Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships.
   
   
3. Children learn and develop well in enabling environments with teaching and support from adults, who respond to their individual interests and needs and help them to build their learning over time. Children benefit from a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and/or carers.
   
   
4. The importance of learning and development. Children develop and learn at different rates and all children will be supported no matter what their needs.

The Areas of Learning and Development

There are seven areas of learning and development that shape the curriculum within the setting. All areas of learning and development are important and inter-connected. Three areas are particularly important for building a foundation for igniting children's curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. forming relationships and thriving. These are the prime areas:

• Communication and Language
• Physical Development
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development.

We also support the children in four specific areas, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied. The four specific areas are:

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the world
• Expressive arts and design.

More detailed information can be found in the file below.

Files to Download