Let Me Be Five: Implementing a Play-Based Curriculum in Year 1 and Beyond

This book offers a step-by-step guide to implementing a play-based curriculum in Year 1 while fully achieving the National Curriculum objectives. The authors explore the key barriers and common pitfalls that often arise around this crucial transition, and show teachers how to successfully lead children from the Reception stage through Year 1 and to the subject-based teaching beyond. Providing practical advice and guidance for busy teachers, the authors clearly and concisely illustrate their methods with theory, personal stories and colourful photographs from transitional stories they have been a part of. Let Me Be Five shows teachers how to plan the curriculum in a way that builds on children’s experiences in the Early Years Foundation Stage and gives them meaningful contexts for learning. Including real-life case studies and views from parents and teachers, this book will give you the knowledge and confidence to plan a play-based curriculum, based on children’s interests and developmental needs that will enable every learner to thrive.

Table of Contents:
1. How It All Began 2. Rationale for Change 3. Enabling Environments 4. Putting Ideas into Practice 5. Barriers to Implementation 6. Transitions 7. Moving Forward – Year 1 and Beyond

About the Author :
Sue Quirk is an advisory headteacher having been a headteacher, an independent consultant and a school improvement adviser in two London boroughs. Victoria Pettett is head of school of a three-form entry primary school, and the Swale Academies Trust Early Years lead. The co–authors of this book are senior leaders in a multi-academy trust which includes ten primary schools, in London, Kent and East Sussex.

Review :
"In my career I have lost count of the number of school leaders who ask me 'How can we get it right in Year 1 ?' This book provides the solution! It comprehensively gives practical advice to set up the learning environment that is essential for a smooth transition from Reception. For the fortunate children who experience this high quality, pedagogically developed, curriculum the rapid progress made in the EYFS will continue into KS1 and beyond. Powerful! Now top of my list of recommendations." - Clare Bradley, Head of School Effra Early Years Centre, formerly EYFS Teaching Consultant, CLLD and phonics lead, London Borough of Lambeth "This book provides a wealth of useful and practical advice on how to ensure a smooth and effective transition from Reception into Year 1 and beyond. Written by practitioners for practitioners, it identifies how teachers can plan the Year 1 curriculum in a way that builds successfully on children’s experiences in the Early Years Foundation Stage. It is based on first hand evidence of what works best for children across a range of school settings and provides a welcome insight into the current debate on practice in Year1 classrooms. It is unequivocal in encouraging leaders and teachers to resist the pressure to introduce formal education too early and to ensure that the curriculum is planned to meet the developmental needs of the child." - Dr. Pauline Watts, School Improvement Adviser, former primary headteacher "This book supports teachers and senior leaders to understand the pedagogy and beneficial outcomes of reflecting EYFS methods in key stage one, using a progressive play-based approach to learning. Getting transition right is the key to success. Building on what has gone before and providing the right level of challenge through continuous provision in key stage one provides the right curriculum for all children. This book is an excellent guide for key stage one teachers who want to present learning opportunities to children so they can learn in the best way they know. It is a very accessible read with lots of thought-provoking ideas and anecdotes. If you want to be empowered to deliver improved attitudes to learning in key stage one and to support your pupils to be engaged and excited about their learning, this book is the perfect starting point." - Jan Bennett former headteacher and lead local authority EYFS adviser "In my career I have lost count of the number of school leaders who ask me 'How can we get it right in Year 1 ?' This book provides the solution! It comprehensively gives practical advice to set up the learning environment that is essential for a smooth transition from Reception. For the fortunate children who experience this high quality, pedagogically developed, curriculum the rapid progress made in the EYFS will continue into KS1 and beyond. Powerful! Now top of my list of recommendations." - Clare Bradley, Head of School Effra Early Years Centre, formerly EYFS Teaching Consultant, CLLD and phonics lead, London Borough of Lambeth "This book provides a wealth of useful and practical advice on how to ensure a smooth and effective transition from Reception into Year 1 and beyond. Written by practitioners for practitioners, it identifies how teachers can plan the Year 1 curriculum in a way that builds successfully on children’s experiences in the Early Years Foundation Stage. It is based on first hand evidence of what works best for children across a range of school settings and provides a welcome insight into the current debate on practice in Year1 classrooms. It is unequivocal in encouraging leaders and teachers to resist the pressure to introduce formal education too early and to ensure that the curriculum is planned to meet the developmental needs of the child." - Dr. Pauline Watts, School Improvement Adviser, former primary headteacher "This book supports teachers and senior leaders to understand the pedagogy and beneficial outcomes of reflecting EYFS methods in key stage one, using a progressive play-based approach to learning. Getting transition right is the key to success. Building on what has gone before and providing the right level of challenge through continuous provision in key stage one provides the right curriculum for all children. This book is an excellent guide for key stage one teachers who want to present learning opportunities to children so they can learn in the best way they know. It is a very accessible read with lots of thought-provoking ideas and anecdotes. If you want to be empowered to deliver improved attitudes to learning in key stage one and to support your pupils to be engaged and excited about their learning, this book is the perfect starting point." - Jan Bennett, former headteacher and lead local authority EYFS adviser