Curriculum Statement - EYFS

Intent

At Christ Church First School, our intention is to make each child’s first experiences of school both positive and meaningful. We place great emphasis on making our Foundation Stage setting a place of enjoyment, where children feel safe and valued. We want children to be excited about coming to school and in the future to remember their time at Christ Church fondly. We are extremely proud of the Early Years provision we provide, we strive to ensure that our team of highly experienced and ambitious staff continue to maintain high standards of education for the youngest children in our care. We believe that relationships are the key to happy, productive and curious learners and we provide a curriculum which is tailored to the needs of all children, recognising that each individual has different strengths and preferences for a variety of different learning styles.

Each year we strive to improve how our curriculum is delivered, we adapt it accordingly to the different needs and abilities of each cohort. We have high expectations of behaviour and learning for everyone. From the very start of their journey with us at Christ Church, we get to know each individual child and their families. By doing this we are able to ensure that each child is challenged and supported according to their individual abilities. We want our children to try their best, develop independence, build resilience and challenge themselves on a daily basis, not simply because they have been told to, but because they know what positivity and reward feels like.

Implementation

At Christ Church we recognise that children 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 provide a setting which encompasses a safe and stimulating environment where children are able to enjoy learning and grow in confidence.

Our staff are very well organised and have a vast knowledge of child development and how to plan and sequence learning in a way which builds on prior knowledge and acknowledges future learning. At Christ Church we aim to make learning fun, exciting and accessible for all children with the right amount of support and challenge. We understand the integral part the environment plays in children’s learning and in particular, how it fosters independence, which is one of our main intentions. The indoor and outdoor classrooms are clearly defined, well organised and well- resourced. They include continuous provision and enhanced elements which change weekly.

We place a great emphasis on learning through play and direct practical experiences led by the interests of our children. Learning is organised so that the curriculum is delivered through a combination of adult led activities and continuous provision opportunities. Children are expected to look after property and take responsibility for tidying all areas. These are part of our whole school and class rules. We place high importance on the development of children’s communication and language which includes explicit teaching and development of vocabulary. We support children in being able to communicate their thoughts, ideas and explore the meaning of new words.

As part of the teaching and learning process, children are continuously assessed in relation to their progress towards the Birth to Five Matters guidance and at the end of the year, the Early Learning Goals. These judgements are made on the basis of accumulative observations and in-depth knowledge of the children acquired through ongoing assessment. These assessments are used to inform planning and next steps in teaching and learning for all children. They also enable us to identify children who may need extra support and intervention or further challenge.

Impact

Each child in our Reception class will have the best possible start to their school journey and will be ready to thrive in KS1. With the successful implementation of both an enriched, rounded and balanced curriculum and a well-structured, safe, active and challenging learning environment, both indoors and outdoors, our children develop the skills, knowledge and understanding which enable them to be successful learners. Our children will develop a ‘love of learning’.