The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum is rich, exciting and engaging.

The EYFS is important in preparing children for later schooling and this journey begins at the age of two in our Nursery. Every child deserves the best possible start in life and a secure, safe and happy childhood provides the foundation for children to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow.

At Banstead Prep we provide an environment that is stimulating and exciting to young minds, enabling every child to develop as an independent learner. We provide a warm caring atmosphere where children learn to be independent, confident, sociable and develop a positive approach to learning.

Every day offers something different with many specialist taught activities including: French, Music, PE, Swimming, Food Technology and Forest School. Each session is carefully planned to stimulate learning and growth and children have full access to our outdoor play areas, as well as a range of facilities within the school such as the sports hall, swimming pool and Forest School area, exposing our children to a huge variety of experiences and opportunities.

Reception readiness

To ensure the process is as easy as possible, we offer specific Reception-ready activities to prepare our older children for their transition into the Reception class, to which they move up without further assessment.

We begin by encouraging the children to be independent in everything they do, for example selecting activities they’d like to take part in and having a go at dressing themselves. By the time they leave Nursery, our children have had plenty of practice at putting on and doing up their coat, putting on and taking off their shoes and wellies, and taking their lunch aprons on and off.

Being responsible for their own objects is a key part of getting Reception ready, so Adventurers are encouraged to empty their bags in the morning, taking out their water bottles and putting them on the correct table, and hanging their coat on their peg. At the end of each day, Adventurers empty their own tray to make sure everything is ready to go home.

We also help children to become familiar with the school routine, so they’re used to lining up and walking around school sensibly and they’ve experienced carpet sessions, where the emphasis is on concentration and listening skills.

In the summer term, Adventurers get to meet their teachers by having some sessions in the Reception classrooms and also go to school assemblies, to complete their preparation.