Simonstone St Peter's Church Of England Primary School

EYFS AT SIMONSTONE ST.PETERS

SUBJECT LEADERSHIP

Mrs J Booth - Staff leader

Mrs C Plowes - Governor link

iNTENT

At Simonstone St. Peter’s we intend for all our children to acquire the knowledge, skills and understanding to be effective, inquisitive and independent learners. The principles and purpose of our curriculum are driven by developing the following:

A love for learning
A sense of self
Awe and Wonder
Aspiration and Achievement
Entitlement and Enrichment

Our hope is that all our children believe in their own abilities, which will allow them to develop resilience along with becoming successful in their own school journey and beyond.

At Simonstone St. Peter’s, our curriculum is reflective of our Christian ethos and this is at the heart of everything we do. We intend our EYFS curriculum to be ambitious, endeavouring to give our children the best start in life.

We are passionate at Simonstone St. Peter’s about creating opportunities for children to express themselves and to thrive through developing their language and communication skills at a very early age. We place a great emphasis on the development of children as individuals which will prepare them for the challenges beyond the EYFS curriculum. In doing this we build strong foundations rooted in academic success, encompassing the children’s wellbeing along with their spiritual and moral development, whilst also ensuring that they are happy and curious life-long learners.

IMPLEMENTATION

Our curriculum follows the Early Years Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage and uses the Development Matters 2022 document as a basis. These documents specify the requirements for learning and development in the EYFS. We have used these to develop our curriculum to ensure that we deliver a carefully planned and progressive curriculum. Through our knowledge of each child and formative assessments the EYFS team plan exciting and engaging activities that will move the children’s learning forward and give them a context for their learning. This may involve following a class theme where we take advantage of cross curricular links and may also include following individual children’s interests. We have highly experienced and motivated staff who see every moment as a learning opportunity. We regularly adapt our learning environment, both indoors and outdoors to ensure all children have access to a stimulating environment with resources to match.

The EYFS framework includes 7 areas of learning and development that are equally important and inter-connected. However, 3 areas known as the prime areas are seen as particularly important for igniting curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building children’s capacity to learn.

The Simonstone St. Peter’s EYFS curriculum is designed to develop the characteristics of effective learning:

Creating and thinking critically – children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things.
Active learning – children keep on trying if they encounter difficulties, and enjoy their achievements.
Playing and exploring – children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’.

Community involvement is an essential part of our curriculum as we celebrate local traditions, learning new skills to enable the children to take an active role in events throughout the year.

Our EYFS curriculum recognises prior knowledge by providing first hand learning experiences along with having a child-centred approach. We ensure that we are aware of each child’s individual interests in order to support their learning. Each area is planned to ensure that there is a broad, balanced and progressive learning environment and curriculum. Planning is flexible allowing children to use and to develop their skills.

Children develop their independence along with their enquiry and problem-solving skills through working independently and collaboratively with their friends and members of staff. Observations and discussions allow staff to identify next steps to ensure that progress is evident.

Where possible the children’s own interests are used by the adults to engage the children in higher level thinking and deeper learning. Child initiated learning is valued and encouraged. Each area of learning and development is implemented through planned, purposeful play, and through a mix of adult- led and child-initiated activities.

Reading and the Curriculum

Reading and Oracy is at the heart of our curriculum and phonics is taught on a daily basis. The children’s reading books reflect the phonics stage that they are at. Children are encouraged to read aloud each day and to identify letters/signs in their learning environments. Our inclusive approach means that all children learn, play and progress together.

Parent Partnerships

Parents are valued as first educators and every effort is made to inform them of the EYFS curriculum whilst providing them with the tools to continue in learning at home. Parents are encouraged to share their child’s achievements through ‘WOW’ moments and these are celebrated within school. Pick ‘n’ Mix activities are given to families each half term. They record these activities in a ‘treasure book’ which is shared and celebrated during key person time each week. Strategies to include and inform parents comprise of, ‘Stay and Play’ sessions, induction meetings, home visits, phonics/maths workshops, reading records, parents evenings bags and balls, cooking counts, an open door policy and end of year report.

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IMPACT

The impact of the EYFS curriculum is reflected in having well rounded, happy and confident children. We want each child to get the best possible start in life and to be ready to thrive in KS1. At Simonstone St Peter’s we do this by ensuring ongoing assessment is an integral part of the learning process. Staff observe pupils and these observations are used to plan next steps.

We use a whole class floor book and writing books to inform assessments. At the end of EYFS, staff complete the EYFS profile for each child in Reception. Pupils are assessed against the 17 early learning goals to ensure year one readiness.

Teachers attend in house and external training and moderations and attend regular pupil progress meetings to ensure progress is being made for each individual child.

The EYFS lead is committed to raising standards by attending relevant CPD and ensuring each child at Simonstone St. Peter’s has the best start on their school journey.

In providing a broad and balanced curriculum the individual needs of every child are met including our disadvantaged, SEND and EAL pupils.

Every member of staff uses ongoing observational assessment to identify children’s starting points and to plan experiences which will ensure progress. As a school we believe that our high standards are due to the enriched play-based exploration alongside the rigour of assessment with a rich diet of balanced learning experiences.

At Simonstone St. Peter’s we strive to ensure that our children’s progress across the EYFS curriculum is rapid and achievable from their starting points and aim for children to achieve year one readiness by the end of Reception.

The impact of our curriculum is also measured by assessment procedures which allow us as a school to measure outcomes against all schools nationally ensuring that our children carry with them the knowledge, skills and attitudes which will make them lifelong learners and valuable future citizens. Ultimately, we endeavour at Simonstone St. Peter’s for all of our pupils to become Year One ready, embedding the school values by the time they leave Reception.

Our children make strong progress academically, emotionally, creatively, socially and physically. Knowledge, understanding and skills are secured and embedded so that children attain highly and are fully prepared for their new year group.

At the end of the EYFS our children;