THIS IS OUREducational Philosophy
The learning approach at Sherfield Early Years.
Children’s learning is based on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. As an EiM school, we enrich our approach using the Engaging Learning framework.
Three Key Strands of the Engaging Learning Approach:
| Knowing the Child |
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| Building a trusting relationship where every child feels safe, seen, and understood for who they are. We know that when a child feels secure and happy, they are ready to learn. Their wellbeing and their learning go hand-in-hand. |
| Spaces for Learning |
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The environment is a teacher in itself. All EiM schools provide calm, thoughtfully designed spaces with resources from natural materials like wood and fabric, encouraging children to explore, make their own choices, and even take safe, healthy, small risks. Moments of discovery gently build confidence and the key skills children need at the start of their learning journey. |
| Foundations for Learning |
| Where it all comes to life. We blend children’s authentic play with gentle guidance, allowing them to naturally pick up skills in reading, literacy, maths, and problem-solving. Our teachers are skilled at observing and knowing when to jump in with a question to move learning forward, or when to just let it unfold. |
The magic lies in how these three pieces connect: knowing a child helps us create the perfect space for them, allowing their learning to flourish into confident, independent, creative learners who are brave enough to follow their own path.
”Wellbeing is the beautiful stage in which children can be when they feel ok. They feel at ease. They radiate. They are open to anything that comes in.”
- Professor Ferre Laevers
Engaging Learning In Action
At Sherfield, you will see small groups of children deeply engaged in different activities.
Some children might be preparing their own snack, while others are drawing, mark-making or perhaps problem-solving using blocks.
Children will move freely between indoors and outdoors because deep learning occurs in both environments. Learning happens, supported by adults who deeply understand them and what they need, fostering a lifelong love of learning.
Partnering with you on your child’s learning journey
At the beginning of their journey, your child will choose a Key Person who plays a vital role in creating a nurturing environment and helping your little one feel known, understood, and safe.
- Building Trust and Emotional Safety - A strong foundation allows children to feel secure as they explore the world around them and build new friendships.
- Support for Families - A reassuring point of contact for you as a parent, consistency of care, helping your child feel secure when they are away from home.
- A Collaborative Relationship - A triangle of trust between you, your child and their Key Person.
- Transition Support - An important role during transitions, both within Sherfield Early Years and beyond.
In addition to verbal handovers, we share photos and updates through Tapestry, our secure online platform, to keep you up to date. Regular check-ins also help us celebrate achievements and identify any areas where extra support may be helpful.
Parents are also invited to join us for parenting workshops, family adventure days and other events to strengthen school-home relationships.
Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds
Children’s health and wellbeing is at the core of Sherfield Early Years. Our children enjoy healthy fruit and vegetable snacks, a chef-cooked lunch with locally sourced produce, and tea, which might include pizza pinwheels or hummus and breadsticks.
Our youngest children can prepare and cook their own food in the dedicated children’s kitchen in the Reception space, creating their own pizzas or making soup, always using healthy, fresh ingredients.
From the age of 3, your child can eat with older pupils in the school dining room, choosing healthy options for breakfast and lunch, confidently using their own cutlery and taking responsibility for clearing away their own eating utensils.
Enrichment
When your family joins Sherfield Early Years, you become part of a vibrant and supportive whole-school community.
Beyond providing your child with the opportunity to stay at Sherfield until they are 18, we offer a rich calendar of events that bring families together, fostering connections and shared experiences, including:
- Outdoor Adventure Afternoon
- Parents' Coffee and Information Sessions
- Science week STEM activities
- World Book Day Dress-Up
- Tea Parties
- Family Afternoons
- Professional Photography Session
- Children in Need / Red Nose Day
- Fireworks Spectacular
- Breakfast with Santa
- Christmas Fair and Market
- Christmas Lunch
These events are just a glimpse of the many opportunities for families to come together, celebrate, and create lasting memories as part of our Sherfield community.
| Early Years learning | Early Years Fees |