Gildredge House

Parent Handbook
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Early Years

Throughout the Early Years we seek to foster a caring and supportive learning environment, where all students are encouraged to actively engage in their learning, both inside and outside the classroom.

Gildredge House has two Reception classes. The students are taught in a purpose built building with its own hall, library and ICT room. It has easy access to the Multi Use Games Area, school field and is developing its own garden. Gildredge House is in the process of developing the Outdoor Learning Environment. Please read our Vision Statement [PDF] to find out more.

The Gildredge House Way

The children and staff have developed The Gildredge House Way and these values are at the core of our everyday lives:

  • I smile and say hello
  • I listen to learn
  • I care for everyone and everything
  • I keep healthy and have a positive attitude
  • I work hard and challenge myself

Our vision is for all students to be co-operative, confident, ambitious and successful members of our community.

Early Years Curriculum

Students access the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum with the Early Years staff team. This is a statutory curriculum followed by all state schools and the majority of independent schools. Each child is appointed a Key Person, namely the Class Teacher. Children work towards the Early Learning Goals through the seven areas of learning as follows:

Prime Areas:

  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development
  • Communication and Language Development
  • Physical Development
Specific Areas:

  • Literacy (Reading and Writing)
  • Mathematics
  • Expressive Arts and Design (Art and Drama)
  • Understanding of the World (IT, History and Geography)

A Foundation Stage Profile is built up to give a picture of each child’s progress. This is available to parents to add their own contributions on the child’s home learning achievements throughout the year.

Activities are available both inside and outside the classroom, with equal importance being given to the Outdoor Learning Environment. Each child will receive a balance of teacher-led and child-initiated learning opportunities. and they also benefit from lessons with specialist teachers e.g. Sport and French. The Early Years Curriculum Map gives a full overview of the curriculum for children in the Early Years.

Parents are warmly welcomed into the learning environment to support the children in their learning.