Early Years Foundation Stage

Our Intent 

At St Albert the Great Catholic Primary School, we believe every child is a unique and valued individual, created in the image of God. Our EYFS curriculum is designed to provide a broad and balanced learning experience that nurtures the whole child—academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. Rooted in Gospel Values, we ensure that children develop a deep sense of Kindness, Compassion, and Inclusion, while also acquiring the knowledge and skills needed for lifelong learning. We aim to provide a curriculum that meets the needs of all children, promoting the prime and specific areas of learning outlined in the EYFS framework. Through engaging, play-based learning that incorporates children’s interests, we foster confidence, resilience, and independence, encouraging children to persevere and overcome challenges. We also focus on developing strong communication and language skills, enhancing emotional and social well-being, rooted in Honesty, Truth, and Integrity. Our approach instils a lifelong love of reading and storytelling, nurturing imagination, curiosity, and a passion for language. Above all, we work closely with parents, carers, and the wider community to create a nurturing, inclusive, and faith-filled learning environment where each child can thrive.

Our Implementation 

Our EYFS curriculum is thoughtfully delivered through a balance of child-initiated and adult-led learning, with a strong emphasis on play-based experiences and high-quality provision that fosters curiosity, creativity, and confidence. Rooted in Gospel Values, we create a safe and loving environment where every child is encouraged to thrive, belong, and grow, feeling supported and valued in all they do.

We pride ourselves on providing a nurturing and inclusive environment where kindness, compassion, and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do, ensuring that all children, regardless of their background or ability, can achieve their potential. By using a blend of child-centred, adult-led, and child-initiated learning, our approach keeps learning engaging, hands-on, and driven by the children's natural interests, which encourages exploration and the development of key skills.

We place a strong focus on communication and language, providing children with opportunities for storytelling, songs, discussions, and high-quality interactions to help them express themselves confidently and form meaningful relationships. Resilience and independence are key aspects of our curriculum, with children being supported to develop perseverance, problem-solving skills, and confidence, all underpinned by Hope and Resilience.

We also foster a love for reading by immersing children in rich literacy experiences, using books and stories to inspire learning and cultivate a lifelong passion for reading. Our commitment to Gospel Values shines through daily interactions, prayer, reflection, and real-life experiences, as we encourage children to embrace values like Forgiveness, Justice, and Reconciliation in their relationships and decisions.

Finally, we value working in partnership with parents and the wider community, ensuring that children receive consistent care, support, and encouragement both at home and school, making their learning journey a collaborative and enriching experience

 The Impact 

The impact of our EYFS provision is evident in the development of confident, compassionate, and capable learners who transition into Key Stage 1 with strong foundational skills and deeply rooted values. Throughout their time in EYFS, children make significant progress across all areas of learning, particularly in communication, social skills, and emotional development, laying the groundwork for academic and personal growth. They become confident, independent learners, demonstrating resilience, perseverance, and problem-solving skills, which prepare them for future challenges. The integration of Gospel values such as kindness, generosity, and justice fosters meaningful relationships and helps children treat others with respect and empathy. Our curriculum nurtures a love for learning and reading, sparking curiosity and creativity, while ensuring a solid foundation in literacy and a passion for storytelling. By the time they leave EYFS, children are school-ready, carrying with them the skills, confidence, and moral grounding needed for a smooth transition into Key Stage 1. Through embedding Love, Honesty, and Inclusion into every aspect of our provision, we ensure children not only grow in knowledge but also develop a profound sense of faith, purpose, and love for others.

The EYFS Areas of Learning

Our curriculum covers all 7 areas of learning outlined in the EYFS framework. 

The Prime Areas:

The Prime Areas are essential for a child’s development and lay the foundation for all future learning. These areas focus on key skills needed for communication, social interaction, and physical growth.   These are:

• Communication and Language
• Physical Development
• Personal, Social, and Emotional Development

The Specific Areas:

The Specific Areas help children expand their knowledge and develop important academic and creative skills. 

These are:

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the World
• Expressive Arts and Design

Through a range of teaching styles, and play we ensure children develop essential skills in a fun and engaging way. this ensures that children get a solid foundation in education while also focusing on their well-being and personal development.  

Our Curriculum

In our Reception class, we believe that every child is unique, and their learning journey should reflect that. Our curriculum is carefully personalised to meet the needs, interests, and abilities of each child.  By adapting our teaching and using a range of engaging resources, we ensure that all children thrive in a happy, nurturing, and stimulating environment. Every child is valued, supported, and encouraged to reach their full potential. Some of the resources we used are explained below:

Drawing club

We use Drawing Club in Reception because it combines storytelling, creativity, and mark-making to develop children’s early writing, language, and imagination in an engaging way. By immersing children in exciting stories and encouraging them to draw, talk, and write about characters and adventures, Drawing Club supports communication and language skills, fine motor development, and early literacy. It also builds confidence in mark-making and writing by making it fun, meaningful, and child-led. Through imaginative play and creative expression, Drawing Club helps children develop a love for storytelling and writing, laying the foundation for strong literacy skills in a way that feels magical and exciting

Number Mastery

NTCEM Number Mastery helps young children build a solid understanding of numbers and mathematical concepts in a fun and engaging way. This approach focuses on ensuring children understand the foundations of number skills, such as counting, number recognition, and simple operations, before moving on to more complex ideas. Through hands-on activities and practical experiences, children develop fluency in basic number skills and learn to solve simple problems. By fostering a deep understanding of numbers, Number Mastery helps build children’s confidence in mathematics and lays the groundwork for future learning in the subject.

Get Set 4 PE

We use Get Set 4 PE in Reception because it provides a structured, engaging, and inclusive approach to physical education, helping children develop essential movement skills through fun and active play. The programme supports key EYFS areas, particularly Physical Development and Personal, Social & Emotional Development, by improving coordination, balance, and gross motor skills while also encouraging teamwork, confidence, and resilience. Through carefully planned lessons, children learn to move with control, follow instructions, and develop a positive attitude toward physical activity. By making PE fun, accessible, and varied, Get Set 4 PE helps lay the foundation for a lifelong love of being active and healthy.

Charanga

Charanga is a music education programme designed to support children’s musical learning in schools. Itprovides a fun, interactive, and engaging way for children to explore music while supporting their overall development. Through singing, playing instruments, listening, and movement, Charanga helps improve communication and language skills, develops listening and attention, and enhances physical coordination. It also boosts confidence, creativity, and self-expression by encouraging children to perform and create their own music. Additionally, Charanga introduces children to a variety of musical styles and cultures, broadening their understanding of the world. By incorporating Charanga into our curriculum, we create a stimulating learning environment that fosters a love for music while supporting key EYFS learning goals.

Think Equal

We use Think Equal in Reception because it provides a comprehensive social-emotional learning programme that teaches young children essential values like equality, empathy, respect, and understanding. A key aspect of this programme is the use of lovely books that introduce these important concepts in a way that is relatable and engaging for young children. These books help children understand emotions, relationships, and diverse perspectives, fostering a culture of kindness and mutual respect. By reading these thoughtfully selected stories, children learn to recognize and manage their emotions, develop empathy, and build positive relationships. Think Equal, with its emphasis on storytelling, aligns with our Gospel Values, encouraging children to practice justice, fairness, and empathy in their everyday interactions.

Ten:Ten

We use Ten:Ten in Reception because it provides a high-quality, faith-based approach to teaching Relationships, Health, and Catholic education (RHSE). Rooted in Christian values, Ten:Ten supports children’s personal, social, and emotional development by helping them understand their feelings, relationships, and the world around them in a nurturing way. The programme encourages children to develop kindness, respect, and empathy, while also supporting their spiritual growth through prayer, reflection, and discussions about faith. By using Ten:Ten, we create a safe and supportive environment where children can explore important life lessons, develop strong moral values, and grow in confidence as they begin their journey of self-awareness and understanding.

Religious Education Directory (RED) ‘To Know You More Clearly’

We use the Religious Education Directory (RED) in Reception because it provides a clear and structured framework for teaching Catholic Religious Education in a way that is engaging and age-appropriate. We deliver key religious concepts, such as love, kindness, prayer, and respect for others, in a way that is accessible to young children. through our RE lessons, we ensure that children are introduced to the core values of our Catholic faith, fostering their spiritual development, personal growth, and understanding of the world around them.  Children learn to appreciate and respect God’s love and the importance of being kind, compassionate, and morally responsible.

 
EYFS Progression and Skills Curriculum 2024-25Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework