Art in the Early Years at Minster

Inspiring creativity, confidence and curiosity from the very start

At Minster, we believe every child is an artist. In the Early Years, art is joyful, hands‑on and exploratory. Children learn through play, imagination and experimentation, supported by adults who encourage creativity, independence and resilience.

What Art Looks Like in EYFS

🖍 Drawing

Children make marks, draw simple shapes and begin noticing details in the world around them.
They explore pencils, crayons, chalk and charcoal, building early control and confidence that supports writing.

🎨 Painting

Children explore colours, mix their own shades and learn how to use brushes.
They paint on a range of surfaces and begin understanding how colour can show feelings, ideas or stories.

🧱 Sculpture & Building

Using playdough, clay, junk modelling and natural materials, children create 3D forms.
Rolling, pinching and shaping build the fine‑motor strength needed for early writing and self‑care skills.

✂️ Collage

Cutting, tearing, gluing and arranging materials help children explore pattern, texture and design.
They learn to make choices, plan ideas and talk about their work.

🧵 Textiles & Weaving

Children develop early threading, weaving and fabric-handling skills.
These experiences support dexterity and introduce pattern, repetition and texture.

🖨 Printing

From sponge printing to natural objects like leaves, children explore repeating patterns and shapes.
This builds early awareness of design and pattern-making.

📸 Digital Art

Children take simple photographs using iPads, exploring focus, framing and noticing details.
This supports observational skills and early digital literacy.

How EYFS Art Links to Development Matters

Our approach to art is shaped by the Development Matters guidance, which emphasises:

🌱 Playing and Exploring

Children are encouraged to “have a go,” try ideas independently and explore open‑ended materials freely.
Art areas are always available and inviting, indoors and outdoors.

💡 Active Learning

Children practise skills repeatedly, stay focused on activities they love, and feel proud of what they create.
They learn resilience when things don’t go as planned — a key Early Learning Goal.

🌈 Creating and Thinking Critically

Children develop their own ideas, make choices, solve problems and talk about what they have made.
They learn to plan (“I need glue for this”), evaluate (“I want to change the colour”), and explain their thinking.

These behaviours build strong foundations not only for art but for communication, emotional development and physical development.

How EYFS Art Prepares Children for Year 1

The Early Years art curriculum at Minster provides children with all the essential building blocks they need before entering Year 1. By the end of Reception, children will have developed:

✔ Strong fine‑motor skills

Through cutting, threading, drawing, painting and moulding, children develop the hand strength, pencil control and coordination needed for Year 1 drawing, writing and early sketchbook use.

✔ Confidence with tools and materials

They enter Year 1 already familiar with brushes, pencils, scissors, clay, collage materials and fabric — ready to move into more structured art techniques.

✔ Early artistic vocabulary

Children talk about colours, shapes, patterns, textures and tools. This prepares them for Year 1 discussions about artists, techniques and their own creative choices.

✔ Beginning observational skills

Looking closely at real objects, plants, buildings or themselves helps children transition smoothly into Year 1 observational drawing and painting.

✔ Early understanding of pattern and design

Through printing, collage, weaving and painting, children learn visual patterns that link directly to Year 1 units on textiles, Kente cloth, mosaics, printing and repeating motifs.

✔ Creativity, imagination and resilience

They begin Year 1 confident to try new things, make mistakes, refine ideas and express themselves — the heart of the KS1 art curriculum.

Our Vision

In the Early Years, our aim is simple:

To nurture happy, confident children who love creating and feel proud of their ideas.

Art at Minster is playful, meaningful and inspiring — giving every child the strongest possible foundation for Year 1 and beyond.