Foundation Stage

Welcome to Early Years! 

I hope you have all had a lovely and relaxing Summer Holiday!

At St Mary's Catholic Primary School, we take a holistic approach to education and encompasses all areas of learning and development. We believe that all children are entitled to the best possible start in their school life, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually to enable them to develop their full potential. Children develop quickly in these early years, so we look to ensure that all children are provided with the highest quality early learning experiences,  as we understand that during their first years of education, children form attitudes about learning that will last a lifetime. Children who receive the right sort of support and encouragement during these years will be creative and adventurous learners throughout their lives. We strongly believe that children thrive in an environment where they feel safe, happy and respected. At St Mary's we achieve this through providing children with fun and engaging lessons, forming positive relationships with parents and listening and responding to each individual child’s need. 

Science (senses)

08/10/21

Linking in with our Science learning (senses) we have been learning about our sense of smell. This afternoon, the children have been working very hard, planting different herbs and flowers in our planters/ pots outside.

They have all done an amazing job! 

Information

Please check on Class Dojo, Facebook, Twitter and of course the school website, to see all the wonderful activities we have been up to. 

Notice Board

PE DAYS - We have PE on a Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon - please bring an outdoor and an indoor kit if possible, as the weather starts to get colder.

UNIFORM - We have a beautiful uniform at St Mary's and we pride ourselves on our fantastic appearance. Please make sure you attend school in the correct uniform, always looking lovely and neat! Can you also remember to send your child to school with a coat that is fit for the weather and a spare set of clothes in their bag. 

School times

• Nursery 30hrs and Reception: 8.55am - 3.20pm
• Nursery 15 hours: 8.55am - 11.55am

Thank you 

Miss Taylor

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)

Within the foundation stage curriculum there are 3 prime and 4 specific areas of learning.

Prime areas:

• Communication and Language

• Physical development

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Specific areas:

• Literacy

• Mathematics

• Understanding the world

• Expressive Arts and Design

Development Matters

What is it?

Development Matters was produced by Early Education with support from the Department for Education. It is non-statutory guidance which supports all those working in early childhood education settings to implement the requirements of the Statutory Framework for the EYFS.

Development Matters demonstrates how the four themes of the EYFS Framework and the principles that inform them work together to support the development of babies, toddlers and young children within the context of the EYFS framework.  The document also illustrates how the ‘Characteristics of Effective Learning’ may be supported and extended by adults as well as how they underpin the ‘Prime’ and ‘Specific’ areas of learning and development. The age/stage bands overlap because these are not fixed age boundaries but suggest a typical range of development. When using Development Matters it is, however, important to remember that babies, toddlers and young children develop at their own rates and in their own ways.  The development statements and their order are not necessary steps for every child and should not be used as checklists.

Development matters