Early Years and Foundation Stage

Intent: Our vision in the EYFS

Our EYFS area is where the magic and passion for learning is nurtured and inspired. The EYFS curriculum has been created to embrace and encourage our children’s natural curiosity and sense of wonder. We plan and prepare our environment so that our children feel safe and secure in their learning, and explore ask, design, make, question and create as they continue to develop the foundations required to become successful learners and live life to the full. 

We provide an environment that is safe, secure and attractive, promoting the self-worth and self-esteem of each child. Our EYFS is a place where children can build relationships with others, by developing an understanding of themselves and the world around them. Promoting independent learning is key - children are encouraged to act upon their own thoughts and ideas, providing them with opportunities to develop the characteristics required for effective learning. We provide relevant, motivating and challenging first hand experiences. This encourages confident and positive learning attitudes, ensuring that every child has equal and adequate access to the curriculum, and that each child’s progress corresponds with their ability regardless of special needs, disability, gender, ethnicity or social background.

We aim to make the children’s time in our early years setting a time for them to feel secure and happy, so that sound foundations of basic skills, knowledge and attitudes can provide a platform for future development.

Implementation: How we teach in the EYFS

Areas of Learning:

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) applies to children from birth to the end of the Reception year. It is made up of seven areas of learning and RE.

The three Prime areas are: Personal Social and Emotional Development, Communication and Language and Physical Development.

The four Specific areas are Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, and Expressive Arts and Design.

None of these areas can be delivered in isolation from the others. They are equally important and depend on each other. All areas are delivered through a balance of adult led and child initiated activities. In each area there are Early Learning Goals (ELGs) that define the expectations for most children to reach by the end of the EYFS.

Religious Education

As a Catholic school, our faith is at the heart of all we do. It is embedded in our curriculum and implicit in all we do. In RE, we follow ‘The Way, The Truth and The Life’ scheme and assessment procedures.

The Characteristics of Effective Learning

The Characteristics of Effective Learning describe the behaviour children use in order to learn. To learn well, children must approach opportunities with curiosity, energy and enthusiasm. Effective learning must be meaningful to a child, so that they are able to use what they have learned and apply it in new situations. These abilities and attitudes will support them to learn well and make good progress in all the areas of learning and development. The following shows the different strands of effective learning.

Principles

The EYFS is based upon four principles:

A Unique Child

At St Teresa’s we recognise that every child is a competent learner who can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured. We recognise that children develop in individual ways, at varying rates. Children’s attitudes and dispositions to learning are influenced by feedback from others; we use praise and encouragement, as well as celebration/sharing assemblies, wow cards and rewards, to encourage children to develop a positive attitude to learning.

Positive Relationships

At St Teresa’s we recognise that children learn to be strong and independent from secure relationships. We aim to develop caring, respectful, professional relationships with the children and their families.

Enabling Environments

At St Teresa’s we recognise that the environment plays a key role in supporting and extending children’s development. This begins by observing children and assessing their interests, development and learning, before planning challenging but achievable activities and experiences to extend the children’s learning.

Learning and Development

At St Teresa’s we recognise that children learn and develop in different ways and at different rates. We value all areas of learning and development equally and understand that they are interconnected.

Diversity

The EYFS celebrates diversity in so many ways. Our topic on Festivals and Celebrations allows us to learn about Diwali, Christmas, Chinese New Year, Saints feast days, Eid and our carnival celebration to mark Black History Month. We take part in many special event days. For example Autism awareness day, Deaf awareness day and our topic called ‘All about me’ is a wonderful celebration of each and every one of us!  Our One World Week is a great introduction to the Christian faith.

Our community and family

Many parts of our learning is strengthened by wonderful resources from our community and families. We have enjoyed visits from Doctors, Nurses and Vets, Police officers and their cars, a dentist to talk to the children about caring for our teeth and even a travelling farm! Other events have been a wonderful success, like the Kings Coronation Picnic with our families, a mother’s day stay and play event and our very special Christmas Concert.