EYFS
How do we teach in EYFS?
At St. Michael’s the Nursery and Reception classes follow the Early Years Foundation Stage framework (EYFS). This curriculum is based upon four themes and principles:
Unique Child – Every child is a unique child who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.
Positive Relationships – Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships.
Enabling Environments – Children learn and develop well in enabling environments, in which their experiences respond to their individual needs and there is a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and carers.
Learning and Development – Children develop and learn in different ways. The framework covers the education and care of all children in early years provision, including children with special educational needs and disabilities.
The Curriculum
Intent
We intend to provide children with opportunities to: experience, explore and understand the awe and wonder of the world through:
- Developing high levels of communication and language skills – actively promoting language and building a bridge to combat the vocabulary gap.
- Developing high levels of confidence, independence, resilience and pupil led learning through high quality activities which promote: enquiry, creativity and problem solving.
- Developing the ability to read accurately for pleasure as well as for purpose, by using phonics to decode unknown words and reading others by sight.
- Developing a deep understanding of basic number skills in order to build on these throughout the rest of school.
We believe that every child, no matter what background, can achieve the highest possible outcomes.
There are 3 prime areas and 4 specific areas of learning in the Foundation Stage framework curriculum.
Prime Areas
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Communication and Language
- Physical Development
Specific Areas
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts and Design
In the Prime Areas, children will learn to:
- Share, take turns and develop respect for each other.
- Make friends and become confident independent learners.
- Behave appropriately when playing with others.
- Listen to others and understand spoken language.
- Learn new words rapidly and use them in conversations.
- Join in conversations with adults and children.
- Develop control of their bodies using both large scale movements such as running and jumping, and small-scale movements such as holding pencils and using scissors.
In the Specific Areas children will learn to:
- Enjoy sharing books and stories with adults and friends.
- Read words and simple sentences (Reception/FS2 children).
- Draw, make marks, write letters and words.
- Count accurately groups of objects and recognise numerals.
- Add, subtract and problem solve during practical activities.
- Use everyday language to talk about size, weight, capacity, distance, time and money.
- Look closely at how things work, why things happen, living things and the natural world.
- Use ICT equipment.
- Be imaginative, sing songs, dance and create fantastic models, drawings and paintings.
What will children do during a Nursery (FS1) or Reception (FS2) class session?
Your child will take part in a wide range of activities, both indoors and outdoors. Your child will learn through activities he or she has chosen, or from those that are led by an adult. Children in the Foundation Stage learn through play-based activities that are fun and enjoyable. These activities are supported by caring adults who will work closely with you to ensure your child makes progress. We keep careful progress records for each child which are linked to the Development Matters in the Foundation Stage Guidance. Parents are actively encouraged to contribute to their child’s learning profiles.
How you can help your child
- Encourage and praise them - they need to feel successful!
- Read with them. Initially this will be in the form of reading a book they have chosen to them and practising their Read Write Inc. Speed Sounds, but over time this will turn into the children reading short ditties and then story books to you.
- Look at their work and help them with their homework where necessary.
- Come into school whenever you can – children really love to see their adults in school during our Stay and Play sessions.
- Always encourage your child to take pride in their work.
- Take time to share a book with them – either one that they have brought home from school or from the local library. Children love to look at and choose from a range of books.
- Encourage good manners and respect at all times to everyone in and out of school.
- Help your child with skills such as fastening their shoes, zipping up their coat and using a knife and fork at meal times.
How you can help the school
- Ensure that all contact information is up to date and correct.
- Make sure that we are aware of any medical problems.
- Let us know immediately if you child is absent.
- Do not take your child on holiday during school time.
- Let us know if you have a change in home circumstances – this information will kept confidential.
- Make sure your child is in school on time every day.
- Send your child to school in the correct school uniform.
- Send your child in with their PE kits (when appropriate).
- Make sure that everythingis named clearly.
- If there is a change in the person collecting your child, please let us know.
Parents in school
When families support children with their learning they make better progress, so we are very keen to get you involved in school life wherever possible.
Parents and carers drop children off at the Nursery (FS1) gate each morning at 8.30am and Reception (FS2) drop off at 8.40am. We encourage parents to leave their child at the gate to foster independence.
Throughout the school year there are various fayres, shows, sports days, Stay and Play sessions and church services which parents and carers are encouraged to attend.
Family Support
At St. Michael’s we try to work closely with each pupil’s family to ensure that all of their needs are met. St. Michael’s has an open door policy, so please feel free to pop in to discuss any queries/concerns. The best time is usually after school as mornings are a little rushed.
School Times
Nursery (FS1)
Morning hours: 8:30-11:30am
Afternoon hours: 12:00-3:00pm
Times for 30 hours children: 8:30- 2:30pm
Reception (FS2)
All day: 8.40 am – 3.10 pm