Courageous Leadership in the Early years Confident curriculum Design

1. Courageous Leadership in the Early years Confident curriculum Design

2. The context of The Willows School & EYC SEND EAL Ethnicity 33 languages Pupil Premium EY Pupil Premium

3. Our EYFS team Dedicated Fulfilled Bold Trust Inspiring Specialists Self-motivated Courageous Supportive Positive climate Passionate Committed Belief Take risks Self-disciplined Leadership of EYFS Respected Valued Momentum & Capacity Delegated responsibility Learning culture Skilful Resilient Knowledgeable

4. The EYFS Curriculum Fulfil potential Learning Happy childhoods Enabling Positive Relationships Creative Secure Safe Opportunities Outcomes Active Equality Developing Partnerships The BEST possible start Progress Scaffolded Learning High quality Play Based Impacting futures Experiences Developmentally Appropriate

5. Play Play Play Play Play Play Play Play Play Play Play Play Play Play Play Play Play Play Learning through play is about howyou learn it need not be constrained by what you learn or where you learn

6. Play Play Playfc Play Play Play Play Play Play Play Play Play Play Play Play Play Play is our brains favourite way to learn! Research shows that play is one way children develop some of the most important skills for being lifelong learners.

7. Play Play Play Play Play Play Play Play Play Play Play Play Play Play Play Play Play Children are personally motivated by the satisfaction of learning through play at their own level of challenge and interest

8. A curriculum that meets every child’s needs We explore pedagogical strategies that provide challenge Solve problems Explain Greater complexity Deepen understanding Generalise & make connections

9. A curriculum that meets every child’s needs We ensure that our provision is pedagogically appropriate for all our children. We know that offering enriched environments is critical…they enable our children to investigate in depth. We have developed high quality & well resourced environments both indoors and out. The level of openness in our resources and environments enable children to explore freely & independently. Skilful and knowledgeable practitioners are paramount to any child’s learning & development.

10. Meeting the holistic needs of our children Using the Leuven scales of wellbeing & Involvement as indicators

11. Fulfilling potential Achievement Progress Success GLD Exceeding

12. What others say about our EYFS…. The EYFS team has a deep knowledge and understanding of the curriculum. Their evident commitment and high level of skills ensure that all pupils make at least good progress from their starting points Challenge Partners 2018 As a result of exceptional leadership of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), children make rapid progress from their starting points Challenge Partners 2018 Maximum use is made of the whole school environment, with equally exciting activities available indoors and outside. Ofsted 2018 The wide range of exciting activities on offer sparks their interest. As a result, they are enthusiastic learners. Ofsted 2018 The Willows provides my students with a valuable learning opportunity where they can experience nurturing child centred practice, in a play based curriculum. Peter Goy- Senior Lecturer in education at the University of Northampton The school has made significant investment in the development of a high quality environment focussed on promoting the benefits of play Challenge Partners 2018 The Willows foundation stage never fails to impress visiting school staff, The environment is stunning and the opportunities given to their children is always exciting and built on high quality play experiences. Victoria Lacy-Wills Partnership Manager PEP MK (Primary enrichment partnership)

13. Budget allocation Expertise Staffing Ratios Qualifications Delegated leadership Professional development How much importance is given to the Early Years in your school? Where are your most experienced staff currently teaching? Does your leader have a specialism in the Early years? What are your own beliefs and principles for the EYFS? How does it feel to be a child in your EYFS?

14. We must never forget that children are born great learners and that we, as adults, should, in fact, try much harder to be like them. Seymour Papert