Early Years

It's all about having fun together, learning to learn, feeling valued and safe with a sense of belonging. Children developing positive respectful friendships, resilience, kindness, respect and persistence. Children learn with Primary language section students and children across the early years language sections. The Early Years classes are multi-age, with children between 4 to 6 years of age.

Each EY class has a teacher and a morning teaching assistant (TA). We also ensure that there is an afternoon teaching assistant who is shared by two classes.

Our team of multicultural and multilingual EY educators is dedicated to supporting every child's learning, development, and wellbeing, ensuring an inclusive and nurturing environment for all.

Collaboration is a central part of our school culture. We actively facilitate opportunities for staff to plan together, share expertise, and exchange best practices on a regular basis. Through this collaborative approach, our team works together to develop and refine systems and processes that strengthen and enhance the Early Years cycle at ESH.

We are committed to continuous professional development for both teachers and teaching assistants. Staff benefit from ongoing training opportunities, enabling them to grow individually while also learning collectively as part of the Early Years team, as well as within the wider school teaching community.

Our Early Years staff engage in regular Professional Learning Sessions designed to strengthen practice across all areas of the Early Years curriculum. These sessions focus on key aspects such as observing children to support their learning and development, creating high-quality indoor and outdoor play experiences, maintaining portfolios, and effectively documenting children's learning. They also provide valuable opportunities to enhance planning approaches and deepen professional knowledge and expertise.

In collaboration with the class teachers,  parents support their child’s development and learning journey through close communication, daily or through Social Schools.  In collaboration with school, parents support programs, festivals and projects with a focus on the children.

Parents are welcome to make an appointment to visit the classroom or to meet with the teacher.

Early Years is housed in the main building of the Primary School. EY pupils have a dedicated playground for use during break and lunchtimes, as well as for outdoor learning and play. They are warmly included in all whole-school events and celebrations and are valued as an important and integral part of our school community. 

A transition programme is in place for EY2 pupils to help prepare them for their move to Primary at the end of their time in Early Years. Transition to Primary is an ongoing focus for older Early Years children, and the EY and P1 teaching teams work closely together to plan a range of shared, structured activities throughout the year as well as to evaluate and continually improve the transition programme for pupils. 

Children join Early Years at age 4 and move through a two-year Early Years cycle. Towards the end of this time, a decision is made about each child’s readiness to move to Primary 1. This process involves close collaboration with parents, with clear communication and transparency at every stage. 

Museum visits, farm visits, theatre and cultural visits are among the activities that support the children’s learning in our local community. Alternatively, special guests  are invited to share their knowledge and skills with the children, when appropriate.