In our Early Years setting, the Prime Areas of learning – Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED), Physical Development (PD), and Communication and Language (C&L) – are given the highest priority, as they are fundamental to every child’s ability to access and succeed in all other areas of the curriculum. These areas form the essential building blocks for lifelong learning and development, enabling children to form positive relationships, regulate emotions, communicate effectively, and engage confidently with the world around them. We use a carefully structured, school written Progression Maps to guide and support development across the Prime Areas and the wider EYFS curriculum, ensuring that learning consistent, responsive, and aligned with each child’s individual needs and stage of development. 

Communication and Language

Supporting communication and language development is a key priority across our Early Years provision and aligns with national focus areas. All pupils are screened upon entry to EYFS using Speech and Language Link. This allows us to identify needs early and provide targeted support.

Children benefit from language rich environments where both planned activities and high-quality incidental interactions are used to develop vocabulary, expressive language, and listening skills, laying strong foundations for future learning and communication success. Furthermore, free play is acknowledged for its vital role in vocabulary development as it provides opportunities for children to use and practice language in meaningful, self-directed contexts, fostering social interaction, imagination, and the acquisition of new words and communication skills through exploring new scenarios, creating dialogues, and learning from peers.

Newlyn has adopted the ShREC Approach (Education Endowment Foundation) to promote shared attention and back and forth conversation in the Early Years. Practitioners are trained to improve early education through high quality interaction.

Physical Development

At Newlyn, we recognise that physical development and health are fundamental to nurturing happy, healthy, and engaged learners. All pupils spend sustained periods of time outdoors each day, where they are encouraged to explore, move and play, developing both their gross and fine motor skills. Our outdoor provision is planned with the same care and attention as our indoor environments, ensuring it supports all areas of learning, particularly physical development. Children are taught the importance of hygiene and are supported to develop personal care independence, such as handwashing, toileting, and self-care routines. Targeted initiatives and interventions such as Toothbrush Club, are used to enhance physical skills, support coordination, and promote lifelong healthy habits, ensuring every child can thrive physically and emotionally.

Personal Social and Emotional Development

At Newlyn, personal development is at the heart of our EYFS approach, ensuring that children grow into confident, resilient, and caring individuals. Across the school, we adopt a restorative ethos, a value-based approach that shifts from punitive discipline to repairing harm, building community, and improving relationships between students and staff. Adults model positive relationships and self-regulation through the provision, helping children learn how to interact kindly, resolve conflicts, and manage their emotions. Strategies such as Emotion Coaching and The Zones of Regulation are used by practitioners to support pupils in recognising and naming their feelings, laying the foundations for emotional literacy and wellbeing. Through play and daily routines, children learn to socialise, work co-operatively, and become responsible, respectful citizens. We foster resilience and confidence by encouraging children to embrace challenges and try new things, celebrating effort and perseverance. Newlyn’s school rules are embedded throughout the day, helping children understand expectations and develop a strong sense of belonging and community.