Woodchester Endowed C. of E. (Aided) Primary School

In September 2021, Woodchester Endowed Church of England Primary School adopted the New Early Years Curriculum. The EYFS framework is organised across seven areas of learning and the skills taught in Reception can then feed into the national curriculum subjects. The most relevant statements for Art and Design are taken from the following areas of learning:

Physical Development
Understanding the World
Expressive arts and design

Three- and Four-Year-Olds	Physical Development	Use one-handed tools and equipment, for example, making snips in paper with scissors. Use a comfortable grip with good control when holding pens and pencils. Show a preference for a dominant hand.
	Understanding the World	Use all their senses in hands-on exploration of natural materials. Explore collections of materials with similar and/or different properties. Begin to understand the need to respect and care for the natural environment and all living things. Talk about what they see using a wide vocabulary.
	Expressive arts and design	Explore different materials freely, in order to develop their ideas about how to use them and what to make. Develop their own ideas and then decide which materials to use to express them. Join different materials and explore different textures.
Reception	Physical Development	Develop their small motor skills so tht they can use a range of tools competently, safely and confidently. Suggest tools; pencils for drawing and writing, paintbrushes, scissors, knives, forks and spoons. Develop the foundations of a handwriting style which is fast, accurate and efficient.
	Understanding the World	Comment on images of familiar situations in the past. Recognise some similarities and differences between life in this country and life in other countries. Explore the natural world around them. Recognise some environments that are different to the one in which they live. Understand the effect of changing seasons on the natural world around them.
	Expressive Arts and Design	Explore, use and refine a variety of artistic effects to express their ideas and feelings. Return to and build on their previous learning, refining ideas and developing their ability to represent them. Create collaboratively, sharing ideas, resources and skills.
Early Learning Goal (at the end of Reception)	Understanding the World ELG: The Natural World	Explore the natural world around them, making observations and drawing pictures of animals and plants.
	Physical Development ELG: The Natural World	Hold a pencil effectively in preparation for fluent writing - using the tripod grip in almost all cases Use a range of small tools, including scissors, paint brushes and cutlery Begin to show accuracy and care when drawing.
	Expressive Arts and Design ELG: Creating with Materials	Safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function. Share their creations, explaining the process they have used.