“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

                                                                                                        Proverbs 22:6

Intent

Our Early Years curriculum is designed with the belief that children should be given strong foundations upon which they can continue to grow. We want the kids in our EYFS to grow up with a good attitude toward learning and education while also developing their physical, verbal, cognitive and emotional skills. We are dedicated to enabling students, regardless of background, to explore their own beliefs and grow in their relationships in order to realise their full, unique potential. We firmly think that every child deserves to be respected as an individual. Keeping all of this in mind, we start every new year by assessing each child's unique needs and taking into consideration their various starting points. Then, with great care, we create a flexible Early Years Curriculum that allows children to follow their faith and learning journey at a pace appropriate for their individual needs and developmental stage.

Implementation

Each pupil will receive a home visit and a school taster session where teachers are able to gather valuable information regarding a child’s starting point. Robust assessments will be used to assess their ability alongside any individual learning needs. Delivery of the Early Years Curriculum will be exciting and cater for all abilities through the continuous provision areas both inside and outside based upon challenging learning experiences. Children will receive high levels of speaking and listening experience from highly experienced staff. Individualised interventions will take place to ensure that progress is made for all children and SENDS support will be used should a child have additional needs. Our Early Years Foundation stage works in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile and children will work towards meeting the Early Learning Goal at the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Teaching and learning (Implementation) 

The EYFS Lead, Mrs Macneal with the support of SLT will be responsible for overseeing the planning, resourcing and monitoring of the school’s EYFS programme. The subject matter covered in the Nursery and Reception class reflects the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage, Development Matters Curriculum, which came into effect during the Autumn term 2021. Special focus will be paid to the understanding of which age and stage a child is working at (Birth to 3, 3-4 years or Reception) and providing every opportunity to build their skills, throughout the EYFS in order to be best prepared for KS1 at St Antony’s RC Primary School.

The EYFS programme will be delivered by staff using a broad range of metacognitive strategies in which adults will help children learn, including:

1. Thinking about thinking – monitoring our own thinking.
2. Knowing about knowing – being aware of what you know.
3. Cognitive self-management – planning, decision making, identifying problems and setting goals.
4. Emotional self-management – knowing how to control our own emotions, how to show empathy, etc.
5. Self-evaluation – evaluating our own performance.

Impact 

It is our aim that the EYFS framework at St. Antony’s equips children with key knowledge and skills, as set out in the Early Learning Goals, but also to develop resilient, capable, confident and self-assured children.