Early Years
At Heathlands our pupils are at the heart of all we do. We aim to equip our young people Heathlands Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides a happy and welcoming atmosphere, in a secure and stimulating environment. Children feel safe and well cared for by the staff team of a qualified and experienced Teacher of the Deaf and specialist Learning Support Assistants.
A total communication approach is used combining sign language and spoken language to ensure all our deaf pupils are developing to their full potential. There is close collaboration with Speech and Language Therapists the school’s Audiology Assistant. Within this environment the children grow in confidence, develop their language and communication skills, make personal, social and academic progress whilst working towards becoming independent learners.
Every child is unique and valued as an individual. Within our EYFS setting children are allowed to be themselves and learning is great fun. Children learn best through first-hand experience and structured play activities both indoors and outdoors. The skilled and experienced team foster the child’s own interests and carefully plan activities that extend and enrich each child’s language, communication, imagination and creative thinking in readiness for future learning in Key Stage 1.
Heathlands follows the national programme for EYFS which covers seven areas of learning. Learning is continuously assessed and planned for to identify what is next for each child. Individual assessments are made through regular observations and evidence collection e.g. photos which are recorded in an individual Learning Journal for each child. This provides ongoing evidence of progress and feeds into regular target setting. At the end of Reception, an EYFS Profile is made presenting the early learning goals and levels achieved
The EYFS team recognise the crucial importance of parental involvement and there is close and regular contact between home and school so that everyone is working together in the best interests of the child
