Raindrops (Early Years)

Intent

At Holbrook School for Autism we provide a high-quality Early Years education giving students a secure and confident start to their school life. We provide our students with a safe and stimulating environment that builds on each individual’s needs and interests; this is why the Raindrops classrooms are a mix of students from ages Reception up to Year 3.

Learning will be fun, engaging and challenging to help every student reach their full potential. Raindrops classes are used as baseline classes to filter into pathways and appropriate cohorts as children are ready to move up through the school. The safety and welfare of our students is paramount at Holbrook School for Autism. We have robust policies and procedures in place to ensure their safety. We comply with welfare requirements as stated in the Statutory Framework for the EYFS 2025.

The Learning Environment

The Raindrops classrooms at Holbrook link to outdoor learning environments giving the students ample opportunities to develop their gross motor skills and meet their sensory regulation needs.

The classroom layouts have been planned to allow for child led learning where the students can pursue their own interests. Students interests are also incorporated into lesson planning to support with engagement. Staff working within early years are committed to their own professional development and have completed training to allow them to engage in high quality interactions with each student.

The Curriculum, Progress and Assessment

We have developed a set of long term curriculum goals (image below) that link to our whole school values. We aim for our students to achieve these during their time in Raindrops.

Students in Raindrops benefit greatly from a personalised approach whereby their provision is tailored individually to their needs through the Early Years curriculum and EHCP outcomes.

Parental involvement is a fundamental element of our Early Years provision. Daily class journals are sent home online via Earwig to share information and photos of pupil’s experiences in school.

We plan an exciting and challenging curriculum based on our observation of student’s needs, interests and stages of development across the seven areas of learning (Communication & Language, Personal, Social & Emotional Development, Physical Development, Maths, Literacy, Understanding the World, Expressive Art and Design) to enable the children to achieve. The seven areas of learning shape the educational programmes in Raindrops at Holbrook School for Autism. Observation is a key component of early years practise with practitioners spending the majority of their time interacting and playing with the students.

Transitions

Early Years pupils will have a personalised transition plan upon entry to the school. This will be individualised to suit the individual needs of each student. A visit to current educational or home setting will be completed by Early Years staff and parents will be required to complete a new starter information pack. For students joining at the start of a new academic year personalised transition plans will be designed to commence in September of the new academic year. Class teachers will share photos of the classroom and school environment with parents and pupils to support transition and reduce possible anxieties.