Our Vision

Every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to fulfil their potential. Children develop quickly in the early years and a child’s experiences between birth and age five have a major impact on their future life chances. A secure, safe and happy childhood is important in its own right. Good parenting and high quality early learning together provide the foundation children need to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow up.

Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, Department for Children, Schools and Families, 2012)

At St Margaret’s Church of England Primary School, we are committed to providing each child with the best possible start to their life-long learning journey through fostering a positive attitude to school and a love of learning.

Through positive relationships and high-quality interactions, our aim is to create a nurturing learning environment where every child feels valued, happy and safe. We strive to do this through

*Providing a high quality, inclusive education for all by providing learning opportunities led by practitioners who understand the specialist nature of early years practice.

*Creating a learning environment where pupils there are broad and balanced play activities alongside aspects of adult-directed teaching and learning opportunities.

*Providing learning activities and opportunities which values the inquisitive nature of the pupil and allows them to develop as autonomous learners, showing initiative and independence.

* Recognising the well-being of our pupils is paramount to successful learning and building of relationships.

* Valuing past learning and use this as a basis for future progress.

* Acknowledging individual differences and treat all pupils equally, regardless of age, attainment, ethnicity, gender, language and special educational needs.

* Valuing the contribution parents/cares make and establish an atmosphere of trust and respect between home/nursery/school.

*Providing a flexible approach to learning which allows activities that encourage pupils to develop a disposition to learning and acknowledges that pupils need long periods of time to become engrossed in learning activities.

*Using observation and continuous assessment as planning tools for future learning.

*Developing language skills i.e. fluency, coherence and understanding by providing opportunities to ‘talk’, as well as access to language through stories, songs and rhymes. This in turn will develop listening skills.

*Acknowledging the importance of play in all aspects of pupils’ learning.

*Providing a curriculum which provides for all areas of a pupil’s development.

Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum 

Statement of Intent

Our Early Years Curriculum aims to lay a secure foundation for essential knowledge and skills required for everyday life and lifelong learning. We engage children from the very start, finding out about and following their interests, and expect our children to leave us happy, confident and skilful communicators who are curious about the world around them. 

All staff work hard as a team to create a positive, caring and welcoming atmosphere where the children feel safe and secure yet are challenged to achieve their best.  The emphasis is for all children to achieve their full potential, we are fully inclusive and all children are expected to think about the needs of others. We respect all families and aim to develop a positive two-way relationship with each one. 

We know that children thrive in an environment where well-being is at the heart of the setting, where both physical and emotional needs are being met. Through a personalised and flexible curriculum, we can provide learning opportunities which develop knowledge, skills and an ability to create and think critically. Our curriculum covers the 7 areas of learning and supports the children's learning characteristics.

Implementation

During their Reception Year our children follow the Early Years Foundation Stage through carefully planned learning experiences. Many of our children will have already begun their journey through the foundation stage so before they start at St Margaret's we will have found out about and recognise the learning and experiences they have already had.

We plan learning opportunities based around the children's interests, activities that will create enthusiasm around learning, develop skills and provide challenges. Our ongoing assessment allows us to respond quickly to the children's learning, and helps us to enhance ideas and model vocabulary. Our resources are considered carefully and are used to provide challenge, curiosity and to match the children's interests. Daily routines are paramount in helping our children feel secure within our environment.

Building positive relationships and good communication are vital for children to succeed in life so activities are planned to help facilitate good social relationships, promote equal opportunities and support special educational needs. Children are encouraged to show sensitivity to their own and other's needs. They are supported to listen to each other in pairs, small groups and whole class groups.

Staff carefully plan activities for both indoor and outdoor spaces, ensuring the learning is engaging, fun and challenging. We understand the importance of learning in the prime areas and how they are essential in EYFS throughout the year, and link to all other areas. During the week the children will have opportunities to work alongside an adult in a 1:1 reading sessions, adult led literacy and maths tasks and a range of child initiated tasks through both the indoor and outdoor provision. As the children move through the Foundation Stage, there will be planned weekly 'challenge' activities which the children will encouraged to engage in. Daily guided activities are also planned to cover different areas of the EYFS curriculum and allow children to develop their next steps in learning. Through observations, areas of need and next steps are identified for all children to ensure good progress. 

All 7 areas of learning are used to plan children's activities, staff use first hand experiences, visitors as hooks to bring children's learning alive.

Prime areas

*Personal and Social Development

*Communication and Language

*Physical Development

Specific areas

*Literacy

*Mathematics 

*Understanding of the World

*Expressive Arts and Design

Impact

From their own starting points, children at St Margaret's will make excellent progress academically and socially, developing a sense of themselves so that they are all well prepared for the transition into Key Stage 1. Our children will be actively engaged in their own learning, which will be apparent in their daily provision. All children will have experienced a curriculum that provides exciting, enjoyable and enriching learning activities and opportunities for them to learn through our local area and people, educational visits and practical experiences.

The children will develop their listening and speaking skills, enabling them to communicate effectively with both peers and adults. Skills will be developed in Physical Development, Literacy and Mathematics, and we will encourage the children to use their skills as well as making links. Our young learners will be able to appreciate and understand the world around them by experiencing and learning about different cultures. music, celebrations, art and history. Questions are encouraged so they can deepen their knowledge and understanding of the world around them.

Through our school vision of 'Transforming lives by living and learning in God's love' we aim to support our children to make sense of the world around them, and to develop tolerance, compassion and an understanding of their rights and rights of others.