Early Years Foundation Stage

Wistanstow CE Primary School

Early Years at Wistanstow

At Wistanstow Primary School, we offer a smooth and supportive transition from Wistanstow Under 5s—an independent nursery located on our school site, welcoming children from the age of 2. We work in close partnership with the nursery to ensure continuity in learning and development. Our carefully designed curriculum builds on the foundations laid in the early years, helping children grow confidently in key areas of learning.

We are committed to ensuring that Nursery children feel confident and familiar with their new environment before they officially join us. Throughout the year, Nursery children are invited to participate in a variety of activities that help them build relationships with staff and become comfortable within the school setting. These include:

  • Enjoying a freshly prepared lunch in the school hall
  • Taking part in whole-school events such as Church Services and school performances
  • Playing outdoors with the Reception class
  • Joining Class 1 in class to listen to a story

When children transition into Class 1, they follow a play-based curriculum that gradually incorporates more adult-led learning as the year progresses, supporting both their development and readiness for more structured learning in Key Stage .
To celebrate and document each child’s learning journey, we use the Tapestry app. This allows us to share snapshots of both child-initiated and adult-led activities with parents, giving them a window into their child’s experiences and progress each week.