St Mary's Catholic Primary School

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it.

Proverbs 22:6

Throughout EYFS at St Mary’s, we follow the Early Years Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage updated in March 2021 by the DFE.  The framework informs us of the requirements for learning and development in the Early Years and provides us with the prime and specific areas of learning we must cover in our curriculum.

In our Foundation Stage at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, we have one reception class called the Sunbear Class.  The Class Teacher is Mrs Grassby and the Teaching Assistant is Mrs Sims.

Intent

• We want every child to feel safe, valued and included.
• We aim to provide an ambitious, child-centred curriculum based on children's interests, needs and stages of development.
• We aim to create a well organised, exciting and inspiring learning environment both inside and outside which is carefully planned and considered to ensure maximum learning opportunities.
• We aim to celebrate diversity and help children develop respect, kindness and a strong sense of belonging.
• We aim to support children to become confident communicators, sharing their ideas and listening to others.
• We aim to encourage children’s spirituality and to be curious, creative, independent and willing to try new things.
• We aim to work closely with parents and carers to give every child the best possible start.
• We aim to support children with transition stages from nursery and then into Year One.

Implementation

• Children learn through purposeful play, exploration and meaningful first-hand experiences.
• We take time to build relationships with the children, understand them and learn what their interests are in order to support their learning.
• Practitioners build warm relationships and create an engaging environment where children can investigate, make choices and take safe risks.
• Adults talk, listen, model language and ask thoughtful questions to develop children's communication and thinking skills.
• Learning is adapted through careful observation and assessment, so each child receives appropriate support and challenge.
• Children enjoy visits, visitors and community experiences that connect learning to the wider world.
• We share information regularly with families so that home and school, work together to support each child's development.

Impact

• Children are happy, secure and ready to learn.
• They make good progress from their individual starting points and are well prepared for their next stage of education.
• Children communicate with growing confidence and know that their voice matters.
• Children are kind, respectful and inclusive, valuing themselves and others.
• Children develop curiosity, resilience and independence, becoming brave and enthusiastic learners.
• Children are gentle, compassionate individuals who embody our Gospel values and demonstrate these in their everyday lives.
• They have become confident problem solvers who can transfer their skills to different situations and are beginning to understand which approaches are the most efficient.
• Children leave EYFS with a love of learning and the confidence to extend their own learning. 

Maths Resources

https://nrich.maths.org/early-years/number-activitieshttps://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zhtf3j6https://ictgames.com/https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b08bzfnh/numberblocks

Phonics Resources

https://www.littlewandle.org.uk/resources/for-parents/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b01cz0p1/alphablocks

https://www.phonicsbloom.com/uk/game/fishy-phonics?phase=2

https://www.phonicsbloom.com/uk/game/odd-sound-out?phase=2#google_vignette

Other Helpful Resources