Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) is a prime area of the Early Years Foundation Stage and is at the heart of everything we do at The Whiteoak Academies. We believe that a child who feels safe, secure and confident in themselves is a child who is ready to learn.

From the moment children join us, we prioritise building strong relationships and a sense of belonging, ensuring every child feels valued, supported and known. We are proud to have been awarded the Nurturing School Accreditation from NurtureUK, recognising our commitment to supporting children’s emotional wellbeing and development.

What are the expectations by the end of Reception?

By the end of Reception, children are expected to achieve the Early Learning Goals in:

Self-Regulation

• Show an understanding of their own feelings and those of others, and begin to regulate their behaviour accordingly
• Set and work towards simple goals, being able to wait for what they want and control their immediate impulses
• Give focused attention to what the teacher says, responding appropriately even when engaged in activity, and show an ability to follow instructions involving several ideas or actions

Managing Self

• Be confident to try new activities and show independence, resilience and perseverance in the face of challenge
• Explain the reasons for rules, know right from wrong and try to behave accordingly
• Manage their own basic hygiene and personal needs, including dressing and going to the toilet independently

Building Relationships

• Work and play cooperatively and take turns with others
• Form positive attachments to adults and friendships with peers
• Show sensitivity to their own and others’ needs

How do we teach Personal, Social and Emotional Development at The Whiteoak Academies?

From the moment children start school, we work hard to help them feel safe, secure and settled. Our staggered start in September allows children to transition gradually into school life and build trusting relationships with key adults.

We follow the Jigsaw PSHE programme, which provides structured, age-appropriate opportunities for children to explore identity, friendships, feelings, relationships, healthy lifestyles and change. Sessions include stories, discussion, games and creative activities that develop emotional literacy and the vocabulary needed to talk about feelings.

At the beginning of the year, each class creates a shared class agreement, with children contributing their own ideas for rules and expectations. We also introduce our school rules – we are ready, we are respectful, we are safe. This supports children in understanding boundaries, fairness and the importance of the rule of law.

A strong focus on self-regulation runs throughout our provision. We explicitly teach children how to manage their attention, emotions and behaviour through:

• Daily mindfulness sessions
• Consistent routines and clear expectations
• High-quality adult interactions that model and coach emotional responses
• The use of Zones of Regulation to support individual children in recognising and managing their feelings

Our school values and behaviour expectations are introduced in Reception and remain consistent across the school, providing children with a secure and familiar framework as they grow.

We promote kindness, positive relationships and high expectations for behaviour, supported by strong adult guidance and encouragement.

Impact

As a result of our nurturing environment and carefully planned curriculum, children develop strong relationships, emotional awareness and independence. They learn to manage their feelings, cooperate with others and approach new challenges with confidence and resilience.

These skills form the foundation for successful learning and a smooth transition into Year One.

How can you help at home?

You can support your child’s personal, social and emotional development by:

• Talking about feelings openly and helping your child to name and understand emotions
• Encouraging independence with everyday tasks such as dressing, tidying up and managing belongings
• Supporting turn-taking and sharing during play. Remind children that it is okay to make mistakes and to both win and lose.
• Maintaining consistent routines to provide a sense of security
• Reading books together that explore emotions and relationships