Early Years at Our Lady Star of the Sea

In Nursery and Reception we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, which is the statutory guidance published in 2012.  It sets out the standards for the development, learning and care of children up to 5 years old.  The EYFS is based on four main principles which underpin everything else we do

1. A unique child
2. Positive relationships
3. Enabling Environments
4. Learning and Development

At Our Lady’s school, children in Nursery and Reception are provided with a stimulating learning environment which encourages learning through play – a fundamental part of early learning.

The school uses the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum to plan learning opportunities in the following areas.

EYFS areas of learning and their associated Early Learning Goals

Characteristics of effective learning:

Playing and exploring – engagement

• Finding out and exploring.
• Playing with what they know
• Being willing to ‘have a go’

Active learning – motivation

• Being involved and concentrating
• Keeping trying
• Enjoying achieving what they set out to do

Creating and thinking critically – thinking

• Having their own ideas
• Making links
• Choosing ways to do things

Prime Areas:

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

• Making relationships
• Self-confidence and self-awareness
• Managing feelings and behaviour

Physical Development

• Moving and handling
• Health and self-care

Communication and Language

• Listening and attention
• Understanding
• Speaking

Specific Areas:

Literacy

• Reading
• Writing

Mathematics

• Numbers
• Shape, space and measure

Understanding of the world

• People and communities
• The world
• Technology

Expressive Arts and Design

• Exploring and using media and materials
• Being imaginative