At Otterburn Primary School & Nursery, we believe that the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the foundations for children's future learning, development and wellbeing.
Our curriculum is ambitious, inclusive and carefully sequenced to build upon children's individual starting points, interests and experiences. We aim to develop confident, curious and independent learners who enjoy exploring, investigating and discovering the world around them.
Learning takes place through a balance of purposeful play, adult-led teaching, child-initiated activities and meaningful interactions. Our practitioners carefully observe children's learning, identify their next steps and adapt provision to ensure that every child is supported and challenged.
Our curriculum encompasses all seven areas of learning within the EYFS statutory framework, recognising the importance of communication and language, personal, social and emotional development and physical development as foundations for learning across the curriculum.
Outdoor Learning and Exploration
Outdoor learning is an integral part of our Early Years curriculum and not simply an extension of indoor activities.
Our outdoor environment provides opportunities for children to explore, investigate, take appropriate risks, solve problems and develop independence. Through carefully planned experiences and child-initiated play, children develop their curiosity, creativity, resilience and confidence.
Children have regular opportunities to engage in physical activity, imaginative play, construction, exploration of the natural world and practical learning experiences. Our outdoor provision supports learning across all seven areas of the EYFS curriculum and enables children to apply and extend their knowledge and skills in different contexts.
We continually reflect upon and develop our outdoor environment to ensure that it provides meaningful opportunities for learning, appropriate challenge and progression.
Developing Gross and Fine Motor Skills
Physical development is a key priority within our Early Years provision. We recognise that secure gross and fine motor skills underpin children's independence, confidence and readiness for writing and other aspects of learning.
Gross motor development is supported through regular opportunities for climbing, balancing, running, jumping, riding, lifting, carrying and moving in different ways. These experiences help children develop strength, coordination, balance, spatial awareness and control of their movements.
Fine motor development is carefully supported through activities such as threading, construction, manipulating dough, using tools, mark-making, drawing and early writing experiences. These opportunities help children strengthen the muscles in their hands and fingers, develop hand-eye coordination and gain increasing control and precision.
We recognise the importance of developing children's core strength, stability and shoulder control alongside hand strength and dexterity. Our practitioners carefully plan and adapt opportunities to meet children's developmental needs, recognising that physical development is progressive and that children develop at different rates.
These experiences are embedded throughout our continuous provision, both indoors and outdoors, rather than being taught only as isolated activities.
Communication, Language and Early Literacy
Communication and language are at the heart of our Early Years curriculum. Through high-quality interactions, stories, rhymes, songs and purposeful conversations, children are supported to develop vocabulary, listening skills and confidence in expressing their ideas.
We foster a love of reading through daily opportunities to share books, explore stories and engage with a rich range of texts. Early phonics, mark-making and writing are developed progressively, with teaching adapted to children's developmental stages and individual needs.
Mathematics in the Early Years
Mathematical understanding is developed through practical experiences, purposeful play and carefully planned teaching.
Children explore number, patterns, shape, space and measures through everyday routines, games, stories, construction and problem-solving opportunities. Our approach encourages children to explain their thinking, make connections and develop secure foundations for future mathematical learning.
Our Curriculum Overviews
Our Early Years curriculum is supported by carefully planned curriculum documents that outline the learning experiences, knowledge and skills children will develop throughout Nursery and Reception.
These documents are updated annually to reflect our curriculum planning while maintaining our consistent approach to high-quality Early Years education.
Curriculum Documents 2026–2027
EYFS Curriculum Overview 2026–2027
This document provides an overview of the themes, high-quality texts, vocabulary and planned learning experiences that support progression across the seven areas of the EYFS curriculum.
EYFS Mathematics Long-Term Plan 2026–2027
This document outlines the progression of mathematical knowledge and understanding, showing how children develop secure foundations through practical experiences, purposeful play and carefully planned teaching.