Early Years

Intent:

St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School believes that all children deserve an education rich in memorable experiences that allows our children's creativity and curiosity to grow, alongside the development of key skills and knowledge. We believe that offering our children a strong foundation and a love of learning gives children the best chance to become well-rounded, happy individuals, ready to succeed in an ever-changing world.

We recognise the importance of giving our children the best possible start to their education by planning and implementing teaching and learning opportunities that support them in reaching their full potential.

It is our intention to provide a stimulating learning environment where all children can work with adults and peers in a climate of mutual respect to develop confidence in their ability to learn. We aim to provide children with a well-structured, safe and active learning environment. This will enable our young learners to develop the skills, attitudes and understanding that support our children to become lifelong learners and encourage them to become active members of our ever-changing society.

Implementation:

We recognise that children will learn most effectively when they are healthy, safe and secure, when their individual needs are met and when they have positive relationships with the adults who care for them. We aim to provide a setting that encompasses a safe and stimulating environment where children are able to enjoy learning and grow in confidence that helps them to achieve their potential.

In Early Years, we begin with a strong emphasis on intentional teaching sessions and adult-led activities to build the foundation of the children’s learning skills and knowledge and understanding of the curriculum, so that they can apply this learning to child-initiated activities and through continuous provision.

Our curriculum design effectively underpins the learning at St Patricks. The curriculum is planned and implemented using a thematic approach. This approach gives children the opportunities to apply learning from across the curriculum that gives their work practical context and also opportunities to apply knowledge and skills they have learned through a variety of learning opportunities. Each half term, children will cover a several topics. These topics are introduced to our children in a creative way and usually through a memorable experience. Each topic is then delivered through a staged approach incorporating an initial engagement stage to capture the children’s imagination in their new topic or theme of learning. This learning then develops through a series of lessons that build skills, knowledge and understanding within that topic of learning. At the end of each topic, children are given the opportunity to evaluate their learning and celebrate their achievements and this celebration is often shared with parents and carers and other family members.

Throughout Nursery and Reception, our children are assessed in relation to their progress towards Development Matters and the Early Learning Goals. These judgements are made on the basis of accumulative observations and in-depth knowledge of the children acquired through ongoing assessments. Next steps are taught in the moment during continuous provision and adult led activities to ensure children are challenged. End-of-year assessments are finalised during the summer term, summarising each child’s development at that point against the Early Learning Goals and Development Matters.

Impact:

Our children will be actively engaged in their learning and the enjoyment of this learning will be apparent in their daily provision. All children will have experienced a curriculum that provides exciting and enriching learning experiences and opportunities for them to learn through educational visits and practical experiences.

Our young learners will be able to appreciate and understand the world around them by experiencing and learning about different cultures, celebrations, music, dance, art and history. Children will actively ask questions about the world around them and their learning experiences. They will be able to take risks as this is an opportunity to learn.

We also aim to help children to make sense of the world around them, through our school values in an ever-changing world. Our Early Years children will be successful learners and fully prepared for the next stage of their education as they transition from Early Years Foundation Stage into Key Stage One.

We know that by the end of Foundation Stage at St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, our children will have developed the essential knowledge and skills required for everyday life and lifelong learning. We believe the children at St Patrick’s Catholic School will be happy, inquisitive and successful learners who have bright futures.

The Early Years Unit

Our Early Years Unit combines both the Nursery and the Reception classes providing an excellent learning environment for children aged 3 to 5 years old. Each classroom is split into key learning areas; these areas have been designed to promote learning in all areas of the Foundation Stage Curriculum. Equipment and resources have been carefully chosen and organised to stimulate and develop early years learning. Children have access to a range of activities both inside and outside which help to develop their social, emotional and academic skills.

Our Curriculum

The Foundation Curriculum is made up of development indicators which progress towards Early Learning Goals. The development indicators begin from birth up to 60 months. By the end of Reception class most children are expected to achieve Early Learning Goals (ELGs) in the following areas of learning and development.

Early Years Areas of Learning

The prime areas are:

• Communication and language

• Physical development

• Personal, social and emotional development

The specific areas are:

• Literacy

• Mathematics

• Understanding the world

• Expressive arts and design

Our Early Years curriculum ensures children explore all areas of learning to help children develop their goals in a fun and meaningful way.

Throughout the year, we focus on teaching children skills, knowledge and understanding. These may be taught through a theme.

Learning through Play

The majority of your child's learning will take place through carefully planned play activities. At St Patrick’s we feel that play is one of the most powerful tools for learning in the Early Years of schooling. It encourages children to explore, discover, investigate and understand new ideas. This 'hands-on' approach to learning promotes inquisitive minds, interest and enthusiasm. All of which are valuable foundations for future learning.