CURRICULUM INFORMATION
Year Group: Reception
Class: 1
Class Teacher: Mr Birtwistle
Intent
At St John’s, we recognise that we are ‘Preparing the Way’ for children to have the best start in life. Every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to fulfil their potential. The EYFS Framework ensures that all early years providers allow children to learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. It promotes teaching and learning to ensure children’s school readiness and gives children the broad range of knowledge and skills that provide the right foundation for good future progress through school and life. We aim to provide the highest quality care and education for all our children, giving them a strong foundation for their future learning. Our Reception class is a safe, happy and challenging learning environment which enables children to become confident and independent learners.
What is the Early Years Foundation Stage?
The Early Years Foundation Stage covers the education of children from birth to the end of the Reception year. As children move into the Reception year, a greater emphasis is placed on learning skills that will support and prepare children for the learning expectations in year 1.
We follow the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (DfE, 2024) and its four guiding principles to shape practice within Early Years. These principles are that:
– 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.
Our curriculum covers all 7 areas of learning and development.
There are 3 prime areas:
– Communication and Language
– Personal, Social and Emotional Development
– Physical Development
There are 4 specific areas:
– Literacy
– Mathematics
– Understanding the World
– Expressive Arts and Design
What does my child’s learning look like in the EYFS?
At St John’s, we plan a curriculum which is ambitious, well planned and engaging for all children. Our curriculum is flexible which means we plan around the needs and interests of all learners in each unique cohort. Our half-termly topics enable us to teach the breadth and balance of the curriculum whilst ensuring learning is meaningful. We embrace that ‘Play is essential for children’s development, building their confidence as they learn to explore, relate to others, set their own goals, and solve problems. Children learn by leading their own play, and by taking part in play and learning that is guided by adults.’ (DfE, 2024). We therefore ensure that children take part in a combination of child-initiated, adult-guided and adult-led learning opportunities. Our learning environment is well-organised, stimulating and accessible for all children.