Early Years Foundation Stage

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14)
 

At Our Lady & St Joseph Catholic Primary School, we recognise that the Early Years lays the foundations for future learning, wellbeing and success. Our ambitious EYFS curriculum is carefully designed in line with the Statutory Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and supports every child to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to become confident, independent and resilient learners.

Through a balance of adult-led teaching, purposeful play and high-quality interactions, children develop across all seven areas of learning. We place a particular emphasis on the prime areas of Communication and Language, Personal, Social and Emotional Development, and Physical Development, as these provide the foundations upon which all future learning is built.

Reading is at the heart of our curriculum. Children are immersed in high-quality texts, stories, rhymes and language-rich experiences from the moment they begin with us. Early reading and phonics are taught systematically through a structured systematic programme, ensuring children develop the knowledge and confidence needed to become fluent readers. We believe that reading is the key to unlocking the curriculum and opening the door to lifelong learning.

Our curriculum promotes curiosity, creativity and exploration, enabling children to learn through first-hand experiences both indoors and outdoors. Mathematical understanding is developed through practical experiences and meaningful opportunities to count, compare, reason and problem solve throughout the day. We follow a mastery approach to mathematics, ensuring that children develop a deep and secure understanding of mathematical concepts rather than simply learning procedures. A strong emphasis is placed on number sense, with children developing their understanding of subitising, composition of number and flexibility with number through carefully planned teaching and purposeful play. Through rich mathematical experiences, children learn to recognise patterns, make connections and explain their thinking, providing the secure foundations needed for future success in mathematics.    

Our outdoor provision has been creatively and thoughtfully designed to extend learning across all areas of the curriculum, providing rich opportunities for exploration, investigation, collaboration and physical development. The outdoor environment is viewed as an extension of the classroom, where children can apply their learning, take risks, develop resilience and deepen their understanding through purposeful play.

We are committed to ensuring that every child makes the best possible start to their learning journey. Regular assessments enable us to quickly identify individual strengths and areas for development, and targeted interventions are carefully planned and implemented to support children's progress. These interventions focus on ensuring children develop the communication, language, literacy, mathematical and personal skills they need to access the curriculum successfully and thrive throughout their time in school.

As a Catholic school, our faith and values are woven throughout every aspect of Early Years. We nurture children's spiritual, moral, social and emotional development and encourage them to develop positive relationships, show kindness, respect others and understand their place within God's world.

Partnership with parents is central to our EYFS provision. We work closely with families to ensure learning is celebrated and supported both at home and at school. Through regular communication, shared learning opportunities and home learning activities, we create strong foundations for every child to flourish.

We recognise that a successful transition into Year 1 is crucial in maintaining children's confidence, wellbeing and academic progress. Transition is carefully planned throughout the Reception year and becomes a particular focus during the summer term. Children are gradually introduced to increased independence, more structured learning opportunities and Year 1 routines to ensure they are fully prepared for the next stage of their education. Reception and Year 1 staff work closely together to share information, moderate outcomes, align curriculum expectations and support every child academically, socially and emotionally. Through this carefully planned approach, combined with targeted intervention and support where needed, we ensure that children move into Year 1 with confidence, enthusiasm and the secure foundations required for future success.

By the end of Reception, our aim is that children leave the Early Years as confident, capable and enthusiastic learners who are well prepared for the next stage of their education and ready to achieve their God-given potential.

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework https://www.gov.uk/education/early-years-curriculum

Development Matters https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/development-matters--2

Birth to 5 Matters  https://birthto5matters.org.uk/

Hungry Little Minds https://www.nhs.uk/best-start-in-life/toddler/learning-to-talk/learning-conversations-and-telling-stories-3-to-5-years/

Tower Hamlets EYFS Local Offer https://www.localoffertowerhamlets.co.uk/pages/local-offer/childcare/early-years-foundation-stage

A Celebratory Approach to Working with Children with SEND

What to expect in the Early Years Foundation Stage: a guide for parents