Continuous Provision in EYFS and KS1

Why have we chosen to use Continuous Provision as a part of our curriculum?

At Stratford-sub-Castle Primary School, we run continuous provision from Reception right through to the end of Year 2. Research shows that that young children learn best through play and exploration, and our collective experience has found this to be true. We chose to run continuous provision until the end of Year 2 to build on the excellent practice in Early Years. 

We believe that young children develop at their own rate, with their own learning styles and that adults should be responsive to the progression of the individual. This is supported by ongoing research into learning through play. Our staff have many years of experience, and we have been running Continuous Provision since 2017. We know this approach works and is right for the young children that begin their journey with us.

Continuous Provision provides a vehicle in which we can provide consistent learning opportunities within our mixed age classes to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum and the National Curriculum. Pupils are taught age-appropriate learning in smaller, mixed ability groups and adults have more quality time with each pupil to assess their progress and take their learning forward. The skills and knowledge acquired from these sessions can then be explored by the pupils independently through Continuous Provision. This is a holistic approach to learning, benefiting all aspects of a child’s development.

Alistair Bryce-Clegg states that “…continuous provision should continue the provision for learning in the absence of an adult.”  We have designed our provision, both inside and outside, to allow children to think and explore. Our provision enables children to apply skills and knowledge, building on what has already been learnt and consolidating in a purposeful, exciting and creative environment. We have seen close relationships build, and a strong sense of well-being nurtured, as well as greater levels of enthusiasm for learning by adults and children alike.  Adults identify children’s needs and next steps to enhance learning opportunities to ensure they are all successful learners. 

Intent

Every day our children get the chance to be a designer, an artist, a writer, a scientist, a musician, a mathematician, a storyteller, an athlete, geographer or historian. Planned play-based experiences inspire the children to consolidate their skills, knowledge and understanding enabling them to be independent, resilient learners who motivate themselves to take on the next challenge and push themselves to their limits. Throughout the environment, both inside and outside, you will see busy children actively engaged in a wide range of activities that they themselves have chosen.

The concepts for Continuous Provision at Stratford-sub-Castle CE Primary School are:

·         ACTIVE LEARNING – first-hand experiences and opportunities to express imagination and curiosity

·          ACHIEVEMENT– children are engaged, excited and proud of their learning; they develop resilience and self-confidence

·         CHOICE AND RISK TAKING – opportunities for children to take their learning in any direction, to consider how a task can be achieved and what they will need to do without adult intervention

·         COMMUNICATION – the development of social skills and opportunities to work individually or collaboratively, the development of explanation, debate and presentation of ideas

·         REFLECTION – children set themselves next steps to help them progress and can reflect on the quality of their work, evaluating and adapting in the moment

·         CONSOLIDATION – opportunities for knowledge and skills from the National Curriculum to be consolidated and explored independently in a variety of ways

Implementation

The use of Continuous Provision to support curriculum learning will:

  • allow children to access broad, balanced and effective learning experiences
  • give children to opportunity to build on and extend the experiences from the EYFS through KS1
  • give first-hand, relevant and active experiences in different areas of the curriculum
  • allow children access to Continuous Provision from EYFS through to KS1
  •  allow independent learning skills to develop alongside the National Curriculum
  • show a progression of skills in different areas of the curriculum build through practical learning
  •  provide children with an opportunity to consolidate their learning from adult-led sessions
  • promote and develop the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils

Pupils access both the indoor and outdoor learning environments independently. They are supported by adults to explore different styles of learning and to apply their skills and knowledge in a variety of ways.

Adults question pupils to understand what they can do, what they know, and take their learning forward in the moment. This information is used alongside formal learning to assess pupils’ attainment and next steps.

Play Projects

At Stratford-sub-Castle Primary School, we use ‘Play Projects’ by Greg Bottrill. These are designed to give pupils inspiration and guidance for applying their knowledge and skills in a range of ways, through a range of different themes and subjects. Play Projects support pupils in making links between different areas of learning, so that they know more and remember more.