The Curriculum

In Early Years at St Mary's, we follow the EYFS statutory framework which is based upon four themes and principles which shapes the way in which we teach.

These are:

• Every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured

• Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships

• Children learn and develop well in enabling environments with teaching and support from adults, who respond to their individual interests and needs and help them to build their learning over time. Children benefit from a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and/or carers.

• Importance of learning and development. Children develop and learn at different rates. The framework covers the education and care of all children in early years provision, including children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

Intent

In Foundation Stage it is imperative that we lay secure foundations for learning across the curriculum, giving children the very best start. At St Mary’s we provide a board and balanced curriculum that excites the children, motivates them and ignites their love of learning. 

Play is imperative and through purposely planned provision, children practise, apply and embed what they have been taught, whilst building upon these ideas to discover new learning. Children are given opportunities to take the lead, follow their ideas and be inquizative and this is supported by high quality interactions with adults. Children develop skills in resilience, problem solving, working collaboratively  and thinking critically - these characteristics support children in become effective learners and leads to them aspiring to be the best they can be. 

Implementation

Each half term, we plan a topic which we feel will interest the children. This topic is then broken down into seven areas of learning which are: personal social and emotional development, communication and language, physical development, literacy. mathematics, expressive arts and design, and understanding the world. When delivering these sessions, children will participate in physical activities, discussion and role play activities to enable them to gain good knowledge and understanding of what is being taught. We strongly believe that children learn best through play therefore, anything which is taught is placed into the provision for children to explore in their own time either independently or with their peers. Communication and language is essential in ensuring that children are able to reach age expected levels (or higher), across all areas of learning. Communication and Language is broken down into three vital parts which are: listening and attention, understanding and speaking. At St Mary's, we provide the children with these skills through introducing a wide range of stories, poems and rhymes. We also ensure that children are exposed to high quality texts which build their vocabulary and promote questioning to develop their understanding further.   

Impact

Delivering an enriched curriculum in the early years will provide children with the foundations they need to reach their full potential. By the time the children leave the foundation stage unit, they have learnt skills which will enable them to be successful throughout their school life. Explicit modelling, promoting independence and providing ongoing assessments, promotes high levels of engagement in learning, and enables the children to make rapid progress throughout their early years.

School times

• Nursery 30hrs and Reception: 8.45am - 3.15pm
• Nursery AM 8.45am - 11.45am