Holy Cross Catholic Primary School
'Living, Loving, Learning Together'
All About Our EYFS
A warm welcome to Holy Cross Catholic Primary School EYFS
“Every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to fulfil their potential. Children develop quickly in the early years and a child’s experiences between birth and age five have a major impact on their future life chances. A secure, safe and happy childhood is important in its own right. Good parenting and high quality early learning together provide the foundation children need to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow up.”
Early Years framework 2012
Welcome to the EYFS. Our curriculum follows the guidelines for EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) provision.
Topics in the EYFS are child initiated and very flexible. They are adapted each year to match the interests and abilities of the children. While some favourite topics are revisited each year, e.g. All Around the world, these are adapted so that the children get the skills and knowledge that they need from this.
Our EYFS Team, Mrs Miller, Mrs Rice and Mrs McGeough will be happy to talk to you about your child’s need and interests. For further information please contact Mrs Miller.
The EYFS Framework
There are four overarching principles that shape our practice at Holy Cross. These are:
• Every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured;
• Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships;
• 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/or carers; and
• Children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates.
The curriculum is organised into seven areas of learning and development:
All areas of learning and development are important and inter-connected. Three areas are particularly crucial for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive. These three areas, the prime areas, are:
- Communication and language development involves giving children opportunities to experience a rich language environment; to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves; and to speak and listen in a range of situations.
- Physical development involves providing opportunities for young children to be active and interactive; and to develop their co-ordination, control, and movement. Children must also be helped to understand the importance of physical activity, and to make healthy choices in relation to food.
- Personal, social and emotional development involves helping children to develop a positive sense of themselves, and others; to form positive relationships and develop respect for others; to develop social skills and learn how to manage their feelings; to understand appropriate behaviour in groups; and to have confidence in their own abilities.
- Literacy development involves encouraging children to link sounds and letters and to begin to read and write. Children must be given access to a wide range of reading materials (books, poems, and other written materials) to ignite their interest.
- Mathematics involves providing children with opportunities to develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems; and to describe shapes, spaces, and measures.
- Understanding the world involves guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment.
- Expressive arts and design involves enabling children to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials, as well as providing opportunities and encouragement for sharing their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role-play, and design and technology.
The Value of Play
Each area of learning and development must be implemented through planned, purposeful play and through a mix of adult-led and child-initiated activity. Play is essential for children’s development, building their confidence as they learn to explore, to think about problems, and relate to others. Children learn by leading their own play, and by taking part in play which is guided by adults.
We continue to reflect on children’s learning by taking into account three Characteristics of effective learning
- Playing and exploring - children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’;
- Active learning - children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties, and enjoy achievements; and
- Creating and thinking critically - children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things.
Parental involvement
We encourage you to be involved with this curriculum and ask you to help us with your child’s Learning Journey during your time with us Holy Cross.
Our open door policy encourages interaction between yourselves and you child’s key person on a regular daily basis, making the transition from your care to ours much easier
When families support their children with their learning they make better progress, so we are very keen to get you involved in school life wherever possible. We encourage parents to bring their child into our setting each morning. Parents are invited into Foundation Stage each morning from 8.45am, but please leave by 8.55am so that we can start our day. We hold termly parents evenings and stay and play sessions.
Uniform
Nursery Children
The nursery uniform consists of;
- Red Holy Cross sweatshirt
- Navy blue Holy Cross polo T-shirt
- Navy blue jogging bottoms.
- Blue shorts
It is important that the children wear sturdy black Velcro pumps in order to gain access to our indoor and outdoor environment.
Children will have access to our outdoor environment regardless of the weather and will be provided with wet suits. We kindly ask that if your child has spare wellies, that they bring them to school.
Reception Children
The reception uniform consists of;
- Red Holy Cross jumper or cardigan.
- White blouse or shirt
- Grey trousers/ pinafore/ skirt.
- Holy Cross red and navy striped tie
- Grey socks for boys
- White socks/ navy tights for girls.
- Navy blue jogging bottoms.
P.E Kit
- Red Holy Cross T-shirt
- Navy Holy Cross Shorts
- Red Holy Cross pump bag
- Black sturdy velcro pumps.
At Holy Cross we take pride in our uniform and are proud to show that we represent Holy Cross Catholic Primary School!
Snack
In the EYFS we have a morning snack each day. The children help to plan and prepare their snack as part of our daily routine. We kindly ask for £5.00 a term to cover the costs of this activity.
What sort of things will children learn during the Foundation Stage?
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:-
- Enjoy sharing books and stories with adults and friends.
- Read words and simple sentences (Reception 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, e.g. programmable toys and computers.
- Be imaginative, sing songs, dance and create fantastic models, drawings and paintings.
What will children do during a Nursery or Reception 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 journals.
Family Support
At Holy Cross we try to work closely with each pupil's family to ensure that all of their needs are met. We have a strong team of staff to carry out this role. All of our EYFS team liaise with families and we also have access to Gayle, a family support worker, who can come into your home to offer support and advice with a wide range of issues, support and advice.
Our Vision
At Holy Cross Primary School we follow in the footsteps of Jesus by creating a welcoming ethos, valuing each child and their family no matter what ethnicity or background.
Our children take responsibility for each other especially those less able or with SEN through the respectful and inclusive culture that we have established in our setting.
Our EYFS learning environments both indoor and outdoor provide a high level of support and challenge for the learning and development needs of all the children attending our setting.
The positive impact of the enabling environment ensures all children are eager to learn and share their learning with others.
Our children learn independently and collaboratively and are encouraged to preserve to resolve problems they encounter.
Developing partnerships to engage families in children’s learning and supporting them to create a home learning environment by welcoming and ensuring parents/ carers and children feel valued as part of our school community.
Ensuring high quality holistic provision makes our EYFS a welcoming, secure, fun and exciting place for all families and children in our school community.