The Early Years Foundation Stage
St Andrew the Apostle Catholic Primary School is a pedagogical driven setting. We provide a holistic approach to teaching and learning with child development at the core of everything we do.
Our approach follows the work of childhood theorists Reggio Emilia, Maria Montessori and Rudolf Steiner. We use the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework and Development Matters combined with the principles of Te Whariki from New Zealand to deliver an ambitious holistic curriculum which provides opportunities for all children to become confident, competent communicators and independent lifelong learners.
Our approach to teaching and learning is consistent across both Nursery and Reception and we work closely as a unit to plan, implement and review our teaching and learning. We embed pedagogical principles into our daily play based practice and provide a curriculum that ensures all children make progress from their individual starting points. Our curriculum is reflective, ambitious and continually builds on the skills of what the children know and what they need to build the foundations to succeed in the next phase of learning.
Intent
We have high expectations and provide all children with unique learning opportunities that develop a sense of ‘curiosity’ and ‘awe and wonder.’ Practitioners facilitate and scaffold children’s learning to ensure every child is challenged and nurtured in our care. We provide a rich, purposeful curriculum which is coherently sequenced. Embedded within a caring, nurturing environment were children feel safe and secure.
Communication is a core principle and is at the forefront of all our teaching and learning. Careful consideration is given to communication and language and key vocabulary is targeted throughout our provision. Practitioner’s interactions with children are meaningful and child led providing children autonomy within their learning. We believe the environment is the ‘third teacher’ which is progressive and skill based supporting all children to become exploratory independent learners.
We provide a key worker approach to enable the children to build the necessary attachments needed to build positive secure relationships with others.
Implementation
Children are inspired through our overarching themes. These themes are driven by a book. Books are planned and key skills, vocabulary and concepts highlighted. In Addition, we place high priority on following the children’s interests.
Opportunities are carefully planned, reflective and progressive using our daily observations of the children and what we know to challenge and develop their knowledge and skills. Practitioners are reflective and cater ‘in the moment’ to the individual needs of all children in our care.
Practitioners have in depth knowledge and understanding of child development and how young children learn, thus having a shared understanding of curriculum intent and what the child can do now and what they need next.
Children access the indoors and outdoors continuously in all weathers, we understand children learn best when they are actively exploring and making sense of the world first hand.
Our ‘Hygge’ environment supports children to build their sense of belonging and well-being.
Parents are the child’s first educators and we work collaboratively with them to share new knowledge, skills and provide specific feedback on next steps.
Writing is embedded within daily routines and is meaningful and purposeful.
Children use mathematical concepts and language daily in a purposeful and meaningful way.
Impact
Our children are curious independent learners, they gain the confidence to try new experiences and plan, implement and review their activities.
They are resilient and keep on trying when things get difficult.
Children know that writing is for a purpose and is a positive fun experience, they gain the confidence and joy as writers.
Children ‘book snuggle’ and gain a love of reading whilst sprinkling vocabulary and going on an adventure into the world of imagination and make- believe.
Children gain a treasure trove of vocabulary and open up the playground of language.
Children understand that Maths is encountered everywhere and gain the foundations in number and develop the necessary building blocks to excel mathematically.
Children pursue happy, healthy and active lives.
Children ‘Succeed Together in Faith and Love.’
