Early Years

At Willow Primary Academy, it is our intent to provide a child-centred approach, within a well-resourced, organised and engaging learning environment.  Our Early Years provision is designed to ensure that children can learn through a play-based curriculum, which is supported effectively by timely interactions from Early Years practitioners.  Our pupils lead their own learning; adults join in at the child’s level, where they can model, scaffold, question and support pupils to develop their skills and knowledge even further.  We make it our business, that as practitioners, we know every child’s next steps; this can only truly happen through playing alongside every individual.  We understand that play is an integral part of learning and have tailored our Early Years curriculum to ensure that play is at the heart of everything we do.  It is our intent to allow children choice in their learning, which enables them to be fully engaged and motivated by it; a fundamental aspect of effective learning and early brain development.  Our teaching is therefore underpinned by the principle that if a child’s level of well-being and involvement within the setting are high, inspirational learning experiences can take place.