The Early Years Foundation Stage at Mawnan School is a place of learning, adventures and discovery. Our aim is to excite our children, making learning irresistible, full of curiosity and wonder, ensuring that they are equipped with the skills, ambition and self-regulation that they will need as they embark on their onward learning journey through the school and beyond.
As part of our Physical Education provision, children take part in weekly outdoor learning sessions. These sessions play a vital role in developing a wide range of skills, including gross and fine motor development, social skills, communication and vocabulary. Outdoor learning also enhances children’s understanding of the world through hands-on scientific exploration and problem-solving opportunities. Working collaboratively in natural environments encourages resilience, teamwork and independence.
The children also have cycling lessons in the Autumn and Summer terms. This key skill is taught using the Travel for London scheme. We are extremely lucky to be able to provide the children with either a balance or pedal bike, dependent on ability. These sessions are taught in small groups of 5 children.
Within our continuous provision, children have the opportunity to take a hands-on approach to gardening, exploring plants, soil and nature while developing responsibility and an understanding of the natural world. In addition, children can make their own playdough, which provides a rich sensory experience, allowing them to explore changes in texture and practice their mathematical understanding of measure as they weigh and mix ingredients. Both activities promote creativity, problem-solving, and independence.
In Term 2, we introduced clay as part of our continuous provision offer. The children enjoy exploring this medium and begin to understand the differences between clay and playdough. They create a variety of models using clay and are encouraged to develop their creations further once dry, using paint or smaller crafting materials to add detail and texture.
Our woodwork and glue gun area provides opportunities for children to take safe, supported risks. Under close adult supervision, children learn how to use real tools responsibly, developing fine motor control, hand–eye coordination, and problem-solving skills. This provision builds resilience, confidence, and independence while teaching children to assess and manage risks in a secure environment.
Children are taught daily Mathematics through the use of NCTEM's Mastering Number. The NCETM Mastering Number Programme in EYFS is a Department for Education (DfE) supported project that builds strong, flexible number sense in Reception children through daily 10-15 minute, whole-class sessions. It focuses on mastering key foundations like subitising, composing numbers, and using manipulatives (e.g., Rekenreks) to develop rapid recall and reduce reliance on counting.
We also take part in weekly Counting Collections sessions. These sessions focus on the key elements of number: cardinality, composition, subitizing, and comparison. They provide children with opportunities to explore numbers in greater depth and practice their understanding through collaborative partner activities.
Writing at Mawnan School, is all about exploring, experimenting, and expressing ideas. Children are encouraged to practise writing through play, stories, lists, labels, and simple sentences.
We help children link reading, speaking, and writing, supporting them to use their growing phonics knowledge to write words independently. Staff model writing, offer guidance, and celebrate every effort, helping children gain confidence and enjoy writing.
By the end of EYFS, children are able to form letters, write simple sentences, and use phonics to spell words, laying the foundations for a lifelong love of writing and communication.