Our Classes
At East Dene Primary School, our Early Years Foundation Stage welcomes children from the age of three through to the end of F2.
Our Early Years is organised into three classes:
- Tigers (F1)
- Flamingos (F2)
- Zebras (F2)
Each class provides a nurturing, ambitious and carefully planned learning environment that reflects children’s age and stage of development, whilst building progressively on the knowledge, skills and experiences gained before.
Our Early Years team work closely together to ensure that children’s learning is connected throughout their journey. This helps children experience smooth transitions, build securely on what they already know and become exceptionally well prepared for their next steps.
Tigers (F1)
Age: 3-4 years
2026/27 cohort: Children born between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023
Our Tigers class provides a warm and nurturing introduction to school life. Strong relationships help children feel safe, secure and confident as they begin their journey with us.
Children learn through high-quality interactions, carefully planned experiences, purposeful play and exploration, with a particular focus on developing strong foundations in communication and language, personal, social and emotional development, and physical development.
Through a carefully sequenced curriculum and well-planned provision, children begin to develop the knowledge, skills and learning behaviours they need to become confident, independent and enthusiastic learners.
Eligibility and Funding
All children are entitled to 15 hours of funded early education from the term after their third birthday. Some families may also be eligible for additional funded hours.
Further information can be found in the Admissions and Funding section of our website.
Our Sessions
At East Dene Primary School, children in Tigers (F1) attend for 15 hours per week.
Sessions run from 8:30am to 11:30am, Monday to Friday.
Meet the F1 Team
Flamingos and Zebras (F2)
Age: 4-5 years
2026/27 cohort: Children born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022
Flamingos and Zebras are our Reception classes and together make up the final year of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Children continue to learn through a carefully considered balance of direct teaching, purposeful play and well-planned provision. Across both classes, children access the same ambitious curriculum and benefit from high-quality teaching, engaging experiences and carefully planned learning environments.
As the year progresses, children develop increasingly secure knowledge and skills across all seven areas of learning, alongside growing confidence, independence and resilience.
Our ambitious curriculum ensures children are well prepared to achieve the Early Learning Goals by the end of Reception whilst also providing opportunities for children to deepen and extend their learning.
By the end of F2, our aim is for every child to achieve and flourish and to have the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to be exceptionally well prepared for Year 1 and the next stage of their education.
Our Sessions
Children in Flamingos and Zebras attend school full time:
8:40am-3:10pm, Monday to Friday
Meet the F2 Team
