Early Years

The BST Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) incorporates both Nursery and Reception classes. This stage of schooling promotes young children's social, emotional, academic and physical development.

A high quality Early Years provision, like that at BST, leads to improved academic results further up the school, better career opportunities and improved physical and emotional health as students grow into adulthood.

EYFS has seven areas of learning and development:

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
• Communication and Language
• English
• Mathematics
• Physical Development
• Understanding the World
• Expressive arts and design

In line with the Reggio Emilia principles BST employs, children’s views and interests are used to inform the planning of learning opportunities both in the outdoor and indoor settings. To extend the children’s learning and make it a more meaningful experience, the children are encouraged to bring in and talk about books or items of interest related to their topics.

Maximum class size is 20 in Nursery and Reception. Each class has one teacher and one education assistant.

Play is at the core of the EYFS Curriculum at BST, underpinning all aspects of child development. Through both child-led and open-ended play, children have the opportunity to develop key problem-solving skills, support social engagement and allow students to delve deeper into their own learning journeys. Play itself gives children different sensory, physical and cognitive experiences that are essential to build deeper connections in the brain. Play-based learning helps a child develop holistically, promoting confidence and motivation, and practicing cognitive skills. Through a play-based approach, children are motivated to take on new challenges which are purposeful and meaningful. Students have the opportunity to engage both independently and collectively alongside their peers as they take on new challenges whether that be building a new track out of complex construction materials or experimenting with colour mixing in the painting areas.

A play-based learning approach at BST consists of carefully planned and well-resourced areas of learning, allowing students to choose their own activities and challenges for the day as they pursue their own interests. There is always an array of opportunities available to students to develop their own lines of inquiry. Play in itself allows students to progress right across the curriculum where passionate EY staff are always on hand to support and extend learners through high quality questioning techniques. Areas of learning are adjusted to meet the needs of the cohort as well as developed over time to support focussed inputs that take place throughout the play, providing real-life learning experiences to all students.

The environments within BST’s Azabudai Hills Campus are largely influenced by the Reggio Emilia approach to education.

We believe children learn best by ‘doing’ and having real-life learning experiences. It is through these authentic experiences that children can formulate their own ideas and opinions and make connections with the world around them; in a space where every individual is valued and feels a sense of belonging.

Our new campus provides ample opportunities for a wide range of open-ended learning experiences, where our children can explore and apply their knowledge and understanding in specially designed rooms and spaces that encourage deeper thinking. 

Learn more about Reggio Emilia Inspired Setting at BST.