Early Years

The Early Years Foundation Stage

In St Saviour’s Nursery and Reception, we believe that our young children should be given the opportunity to experience the best possible start to their education. We present the Foundation Stage curriculum in such a way as to encourage independence and exploration within a safe and secure environment. We sustain the highest quality teaching and learning which enables children to be the best that they can be. To find out more about us please see our Welcome Information page.

Our aim is to ensure our children are happy, confident and independent learners. In order to do this effectively we place great value on the partnership between school and home. Here are just a few examples of what we do.

- Parent Workshops (teachers, parents and children learning together)

- Parent meetings with the teacher.

- Home Learning. A topic based homework sheet is sent home so that parents can work together with their children. A reading book is also sent home.

- Teachers available at the end of every school day ready to discuss any concerns

- Achievement stars. When your child has achieved something at home for example, can get dressed independently in a morning, we would like to know about it so that we can add it to our ‘celebrate’ board in school.

The children follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework. Within this, there are 7 areas of learning and development. The EYFS Framework explains how and what your child will be learning to support their healthy development. Your child will be learning skills, acquiring new knowledge and demonstrating their understanding through 7 areas of learning and development.

Children should mostly develop the 3 prime areas first. These are:

 Communication and language;

 Physical development; and

 Personal, social and emotional development.

These prime areas are those most essential for your child’s healthy development and future learning.

As children grow, the prime areas will help them to develop skills in 4 specific areas. These are:

 Literacy;

 Mathematics;

 Understanding the world; and

 Expressive arts and design.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Successful Personal, Social and Emotional Development is critical for very young children in all aspects of their lives and gives them the best opportunity for success in all other areas of learning. We believe that it is crucial that we provide the experiences and support to enable children to develop a positive sense of themselves.

Communication and Language

Communication and Language depend on learning and being competent in a number of key skills, together with having the confidence, opportunity, encouragement, support and disposition to use them. This area of learning includes communication, speaking and listening in different situations and for different purposes, and using past, present and future forms accurately.

Physical Development

Physical development in the Foundation Stage is about improving skills of co-ordination, control, manipulation and movement (Fine and Gross motor skills). Physical development has two other very important aspects. It helps children gain confidence in what they can do and enables them to feel the positive benefits of being healthy and active.

Literacy

Reading- children read and understand simple sentences. Using the "Letters and Sounds" scheme together with Jolly Phonics. They use phonic knowledge to decode regular words and read them aloud. Children enjoy and recognise a wide range of texts, including, signs labels, instructions, stories and information books.

Writing- Children use their phonic knowledge to write words which match their spoken sounds. Children are encouraged to write for a variety of purposes.

Mathematics

Mathematical development depends on becoming confident and competent in learning and using key skills. This area of learning includes counting, sorting, matching, seeking patterns, making connections, recognising relationships and working with numbers, shapes, space and measures. Mathematical understanding should be developed through stories, songs, games and imaginative play, so that children can enjoy using and experimenting with numbers. This includes numbers with two digits.

Understanding of the World

In Understanding of the World children are developing the crucial knowledge, skills and understanding that help them to make sense of the world. It includes helping children develop the skills of observing, predicting, exploring, investigating, interpreting, discussing, decision making and using tools and materials appropriately.

Expressive Arts and Design

Expressive Arts and Design is fundamental to successful learning. Being creative enables children to make connections between one area of learning and another and so extend their understanding. This area of learning includes art, music, dance, role-play and imaginative play.