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Our Early Years Provision (EYFS)

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) at Sir Thomas Abney consists of our Nursery and Reception classes. Both classes are taught by experienced, highly qualified staff who follow our own Early Years curriculum, which we have developed in accordance with the EYFS Statutory Framework (2023) and the non-statutory guidance, Development Matters (2023) and Birth to 5 Matters.

Intent

At our setting, the intent of our EYFS curriculum is to provide a secure, stimulating, and inclusive environment where children can thrive. We aim to foster a love for learning by offering a broad, balanced, and exciting curriculum that builds on each child’s interests and developmental needs. Our goal is to equip children with the knowledge, skills, and positive attitudes necessary for future learning and life. We focus on the development of each child, ensuring they become confident, resilient, and curious individuals, prepared for the next stage of their education. We prioritise the Prime Areas of learning—Communication and Language, Physical Development, and Personal, Social and Emotional Development—while embedding Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, and Expressive Arts and Design in meaningful, playful ways.

Implementation

We implement our curriculum through well-planned, purposeful play and structured activities that engage children in active learning as well as supporting them to manage their emotions and personal relationships with others. Our experienced practitioners carefully observe each child, understanding their unique needs and interests, and tailor learning experiences accordingly. We use a combination of child-led and adult-initiated activities to promote exploration, creativity, and problem-solving. Through continuous assessment, we monitor progress and make adjustments to support every child in reaching their full potential. Regular interactions with parents and carers ensure a collaborative approach, extending learning beyond the classroom. Our environment, both indoors and outdoors, is rich with resources encouraging children to explore, experiment, and engage with the world around them.

Impact

The impact of our EYFS curriculum is evident in the children’s ability to achieve well across all areas of learning. We regularly assess children’s progress through formative assessments and use this information to support their next steps. By the end of the EYFS, children leave our setting as well-rounded individuals, ready for the challenges of Key Stage 1. They demonstrate strong communication skills, emotional resilience, independence, and a solid foundation in early literacy and numeracy. Importantly, they possess a lifelong love for learning, and a curiosity about the world, which will drive their future success.

This statement reflects a thoughtful approach to ensuring high-quality early years education, aligned with the EYFS framework, focusing on children’s progress, well-being, and readiness for their next educational steps.

Forest School

At Sir Thomas Abney children from Nursery through to Year 2 attend our very own Forest School. This supports our guiding principles in our Early Years and enables our children to develop a strong relationship with each other and the natural world. Sir Thomas Abney Forest school was established in 2017 and continues to thrive each year.

STA's Forest School is run by our Early Years' Educator, Tina Parrott. Here's her account of a recent term's work:

There's been lots of exploring, creating, messy play, digging, treasure hunts, tree climbing, den building, discovering habitats, climbing and balancing and lots more activities that all children can engage in.

Nursery are learning the Forest School rules and exploring the area, moving around freely. They have become more independent within their play and are eager to get outside to see what they can do and see. The mud and water play are popular with all of the children.

Reception are super quick at getting dressed independently for Forest School. They are full of questions and so curious!.

Balancing, climbing, digging, mud and water play are very popular. Discovering different habitats and bug hunting were a fun focus for this last term.

Year One have busied themselves with den building; designing dens, practising different ways of constructing them and sharing resources.

They finished the year with a treasure hunt, solving clues as a class and digging for treasure.

Year Two have been working to create an art and games area within the Forest School site. They have been painting small rocks to create pictures, noughts and crosses, connect 4 games and improving the role play area.

The golden painted rocks were used as part of a Jack and the Beanstalk storytelling session that the children loved.

Tools and mallets were used for banging sticks into the ground for a hoop game.

For more information about the teachings of Forest School and how this benefits your child you can read more here: Forest School

Your Child's learning-Tapestry and Home Learning Portal

Throughout the year we record our children’s learning on an online platform called Tapestry. Here you will have access to videos and photos showcasing your own child’s unique and personal learning journey. Every week we will share photos and information about what your child has been doing in school on the Nursery and Reception home learning portals, so you can talk to them about their learning. We will also suggest some questions to ask, books to read, and activities to try at home.

Admission Information

Nursery

We would love to show you our outstanding provision, please contact the school office on 020 8800 1411 to arrange a tour of the school.

All children are entitled to 15-hours free childcare from the age of 3. If you are a working family, you can claim 30-hours free childcare. To check whether you are eligible for 30 hours, please click here. If you are not eligible, we will also consider offering 30-hours free childcare.

We offer extended hours provision for our Early Years pupils, from 8.00am to 5.30pm. Before school breakfast club costs £5.00/day, after school care costs £5.00/day from 3.30-4.30pm £10/day from 3.30-5.30pm.

Complete the application form for a Nursery place:

Nursery Application

Reception

Applications for Reception starting in September 2025 must be made through Hackney Education - click here for more information.

For 'in - year' applications and transfers, visit this link.

Useful Information for Parents

Click here to view key information about our current Early Years.

To download a free copy of the "What to expect, when?" guide click here.

Useful Websites

https://hungrylittleminds.campaign.gov.uk/

https://literacytrust.org.uk/parents-and-families/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people