EYFS

Miss Rimmer

Miss Weaver

Miss Woods

Miss Austin

Miss Shaw

Miss Gillert

The Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage.

This sets out the legal requirements which settings have to follow in order to support children’s’ learning and development, to assess their development and to ensure they are well cared for. This document also contains programmes of learning for each of the 7 areas of learning which we cover in Early Years.

Development Matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

This contains guidance materials for practitioners on the characteristics of learning and the areas of learning and development that should be offered to children in the foundation years.

Communication and Language

Communication and Language is one of the three Prime Areas of Learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage and underpins children's success across all areas of the curriculum. It focuses on developing children's speaking, listening, understanding and vocabulary skills through meaningful interactions, conversations, stories, songs and play-based experiences.

Children are encouraged to listen attentively, understand and respond to what they hear, express their ideas and feelings confidently, and engage in discussions with adults and their peers. Through a language-rich environment, children develop the communication skills they need to build relationships, access learning and become confident, effective communicators.

Physical Development

Physical Development is one of the three Prime Areas of Learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage. It focuses on developing children's gross and fine motor skills, coordination, strength, balance and overall physical wellbeing.

Children are provided with opportunities to be active both indoors and outdoors, helping them to develop confidence, control and coordination in their movements. They also learn the fine motor skills needed for tasks such as writing, drawing, cutting and using tools effectively. Alongside physical skills, children are encouraged to understand the importance of healthy lifestyles, self-care and personal hygiene, supporting their overall health and development.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED)

Personal, Social and Emotional Development is one of the three Prime Areas of Learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage. It supports children in developing a positive sense of self, building confidence and independence, managing their feelings and behaviour, and forming positive relationships with others.

Through play, discussion and shared experiences, children learn how to understand and express their emotions, work and cooperate with others, follow routines and expectations, and develop resilience when faced with challenges. PSED helps children to become confident, caring and respectful individuals who are well prepared for learning and life beyond the Early Years.

Mathematics

Mathematics is one of the four Specific Areas of Learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage. It focuses on developing children's understanding of number, counting, numerical patterns and problem-solving, alongside exploring shape, space and measures.

Through practical experiences, games, songs and everyday activities, children learn to count confidently, recognise and use numbers, compare quantities, identify patterns and develop a secure understanding of mathematical concepts. Children are encouraged to reason, investigate and apply their mathematical knowledge in meaningful contexts, building strong foundations for future learning in mathematics.

Literacy

Literacy is one of the four Specific Areas of Learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage. It focuses on developing children's early reading and writing skills through a language-rich environment that promotes a love of books, stories and communication.

Children learn to recognise sounds and letters through systematic phonics teaching, develop their understanding of spoken and written language, and begin to read and write with increasing confidence. Through shared reading, storytelling, mark-making and writing opportunities, children build the skills needed to communicate their ideas, understand texts and become successful readers and writers.

Understanding the World

Understanding the World is one of the four Specific Areas of Learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage. It helps children make sense of their community, the wider world and their place within it.

Children explore people, cultures, nature, technology and the environment through first-hand experiences, discussion, investigation and play. They learn about similarities and differences between themselves and others, develop an awareness of the past and present, and begin to understand how the world works. Through these experiences, children develop curiosity, respect for others and an appreciation of the diverse world around them.

Expressive Arts and Design

Expressive Arts and Design is one of the four Specific Areas of Learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage. It encourages children to explore their creativity, imagination and self-expression through a range of artistic and practical experiences.

Children develop their skills through art, music, dance, role play, storytelling and design activities, using a variety of materials, tools and techniques. They are encouraged to share their ideas, express their feelings and respond to experiences in creative ways. Through these opportunities, children build confidence, develop their imagination and learn to communicate their thoughts and ideas creatively.

Intent

At Our Lady & St Swithin's Catholic Primary School, our Early Years curriculum is designed to build upon children's prior learning and experiences, both at home and in previous settings. We provide rich, first-hand learning opportunities that nurture curiosity, resilience, ambition and confidence, enabling every child to flourish and reach their full potential.

We recognise that every child is unique and celebrate the diversity and individuality within our school community. Learning is underpinned by the development of key skills, knowledge, understanding and values, rooted in our Catholic ethos. Through a balance of adult-led activities and high-quality continuous provision, we create engaging learning experiences that inspire a lifelong love of learning and ensure that children feel happy, safe and valued in school.

We promote positive attitudes to learning and behaviour through a consistent and supportive approach that celebrates effort, achievement and personal growth. This helps children develop independence, confidence, strong thinking skills and the adaptability needed to become successful learners both now and in the future.

Implementation

Across our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), we follow the statutory Early Years Foundation Stage Framework, which sets out the standards for learning, development and care for children from birth to five years. The framework identifies seven areas of learning and development that support children's progress throughout their time in Nursery and Reception.

The three Prime Areas of Learning are:

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
• Physical Development
• Communication and Language

These areas are fundamental to children's development and provide the foundations for success in all other areas of learning.

The four Specific Areas of Learning are:

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the World
• Expressive Arts and Design

In Nursery, we place a strong emphasis on developing the Prime Areas of Learning, helping children to build positive relationships, develop communication skills and gain confidence in their new learning environment. Children take part in a range of adult-led and child-initiated activities designed to support their development. Daily early literacy and phonics opportunities help prepare children for reading and writing, while weekly Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) lessons support children's emotional wellbeing and social development.

In Reception, children participate in daily lessons in phonics, literacy and mathematics, alongside weekly PSHE lessons. We use the Read Write Inc. phonics programme to develop early reading and writing skills and ensure a consistent approach to phonics teaching across the school.

Learning takes place through a carefully balanced combination of adult-led activities, child-initiated play and independent learning opportunities. Staff engage with children during their play, modelling language, extending thinking and supporting the development of new skills. Through ongoing observation and assessment, practitioners gain a detailed understanding of each child's strengths and next steps, ensuring that learning experiences are tailored to meet individual needs.

Our indoor and outdoor learning environments are carefully designed to promote exploration, creativity and independence. Children have regular access to both areas through continuous provision, enabling them to make choices, follow their interests and develop the Characteristics of Effective Learning:

• Playing and Exploring
• Active Learning
• Creating and Thinking Critically

These characteristics support children in becoming confident, motivated and resilient learners who are prepared for future success.

We recognise the vital role that parents and carers play in their children's education and encourage strong partnerships between home and school. Families are invited to share achievements and learning experiences from home through Class Dojo and are welcomed into school for a variety of events and learning opportunities throughout the year.

At Our Lady & St Swithin's, we believe it is important that all children develop an understanding of the world around them. We recognise that children arrive at school with a wide range of experiences and backgrounds, and we aim to broaden their horizons through enriching learning opportunities, visitors, special events and educational visits. These experiences help children develop curiosity, appreciation and an understanding of the wider world.

Our curriculum is responsive to children's interests, needs and stages of development. Planning is informed by daily observations and assessments, enabling staff to address misconceptions, provide additional support where needed and build upon children's existing knowledge. In Reception, children's learning is recorded through a range of practical and written activities that demonstrate their progress across the curriculum.

Impact

At Our Lady & St Swithin's Catholic Primary School, assessment is an integral part of teaching and learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage. We use both formative and summative assessment to monitor children's progress, celebrate achievements and identify next steps in learning. Children are assessed regularly throughout the year, with formal assessments taking place each half term. This information is used to inform planning and ensure that learning experiences are tailored to meet the individual needs of every child.

Practitioners assess children's development across all areas of learning using observations, interactions and evidence gathered through everyday learning experiences. We use the Development Matters guidance and its observation checkpoints to support our professional judgements. Where concerns arise regarding a child's progress or development, staff work closely with the school's SENDCo and engage in discussions with parents and carers to ensure that appropriate support is put in place at the earliest opportunity.

Phonics progress is monitored regularly, allowing leaders to track attainment, identify trends and provide additional support where required. To ensure assessment judgements are accurate and consistent, staff participate in both internal moderation activities and external moderation opportunities with local schools and professional networks.

When children join Nursery, staff carry out an initial baseline assessment based on observations of children's knowledge, skills and development during their first few weeks in school. This helps us to establish a clear starting point and build a detailed understanding of each child's strengths and areas for development. Progress is then carefully tracked throughout Nursery and Reception, enabling staff to support every child on their individual learning journey.

Upon entry to Reception, children complete the Reception Baseline Assessment, which provides a national measure of children's starting points in literacy, communication, language and mathematics. Throughout Reception, ongoing assessment informs teaching and learning and contributes to the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP), which is completed at the end of the academic year.

As children prepare for their transition into Year 1, staff undertake a range of assessments to ensure that their achievements and next steps are accurately identified. Reading assessments, alongside teacher knowledge and ongoing observations, help to provide a comprehensive picture of each child's development. Detailed transition meetings enable Reception and Year 1 staff to share information about every child's strengths, achievements and areas for further support, ensuring continuity in learning and a smooth transition into Key Stage 1.

The impact of our EYFS curriculum is measured not only through children's academic progress and attainment but also through the development of confident, independent and resilient learners. We strive to ensure that all children leave Reception with the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to succeed in the next stage of their education. Rooted in our Catholic values, we aim to nurture well-rounded individuals who demonstrate kindness, respect, curiosity and a love of learning, preparing them to become responsible citizens and lifelong learners.

Reception

Children take part in carefully planned adult-led learning experiences that cater for a range of learning styles and needs. Teaching incorporates discussion, modelling, practical resources, visual prompts, technology and storytelling to ensure that learning is engaging, meaningful and accessible to all children.

Teachers use a variety of resources, including visualisers, interactive whiteboards, practical equipment and high-quality texts, to demonstrate new concepts and skills. Learning is carefully scaffolded, with adults providing targeted support, questioning and modelling to help children deepen their understanding and achieve success.

Following direct teaching, children are encouraged to apply and consolidate their learning through high-quality continuous provision. These carefully planned learning environments provide opportunities for children to practise and extend their skills independently while reinforcing key learning objectives.

Strong relationships between staff and children are central to our approach. We create a nurturing and supportive environment where every child feels valued, encouraged and challenged to achieve their full potential. Children are supported to develop independence, resilience and confidence, and are encouraged to take risks in their learning and embrace new challenges.

Nursery

In Nursery, we place particular emphasis on the Prime Areas of Learning, recognising that these provide the essential foundations for future success across the curriculum.

Staff work closely with children to develop confidence, independence and positive attitudes towards learning. Through nurturing relationships and carefully planned experiences, children are encouraged to develop a strong sense of self-belief and a willingness to explore and try new things.

Learning is delivered through a combination of small-group teaching, adult-led activities and purposeful play experiences. Practitioners use stories, songs, rhymes, games and practical activities to introduce and reinforce new concepts in an engaging and memorable way.

Children benefit from a consistent daily routine that helps them feel secure, develop independence and understand expectations. Predictable structures and routines support children's emotional wellbeing and enable them to engage confidently in all aspects of Nursery life.

Starting Nursery

Nursery Rhymes and Songs

Top Marks Maths

Numberblocks