Securing strong foundational knowledge through EYFS and KS1 is vital in giving children the best possible chance of success. At Willerby Carr Lane, we ensure that all children develop the essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes to learning needed to be fully prepared for their next stage of education.

Children build secure foundations in communication, reading, writing, and mathematics, while also developing age-appropriate social, emotional, and physical skills. In addition, they strengthen the executive function skills that are crucial for both effective learning and long-term well-being. The essential foundational knowledge required for success has been carefully identified to support all children in making effective progress and achieving excellence.

Executive Function

Executive function is the set of mental skills we use to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and manage tasks and behaviour to achieve a goal. It is important for children to develop these skills because they support learning, self-regulation, problem-solving, and independence both in school and in everyday life.

Communication and Language 

Communication and language is the set of skills children use to listen, understand and express themselves through spoken language. It is important for children to develop these skills because they support learning, social interaction, emotional development and the ability to build relationships, helping children to share ideas, ask questions and take part confidently in school and everyday life.

Early Reading 

Early reading is the set of skills children develop to recognise sounds in spoken words, link sounds to letters, blend and read words, and understand and enjoy stories and information texts. It is important for children to develop these skills because they provide the foundation for learning across the curriculum, build vocabulary and comprehension, and help children become confident, fluent readers who can access learning and develop a lifelong love of reading.

Early Writing

Early writing is the set of skills children develop to communicate meaning through marks, drawings and letters, including building hand strength, controlling a pencil, forming letters, and using sounds to spell words. It is important for children to develop these skills because writing is vital for children to express their ideas, supports reading and phonics development, and builds confidence and independence in learning.

Early Maths 

Early maths is the set of skills children develop to understand the number system and place value, use mathematical language accurately, apply operations such as addition and subtraction, and record their thinking through transcription (writing numerals and number sentences). It is important for children to develop these skills because they provide the foundation for confident calculation, reasoning and problem-solving.