Welcome to St Mary's EYFS

At St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, we recognise that the early years are critical in establishing the foundations for future learning and development. Experiences during this stage have a significant impact on children’s life chances; therefore, we place high importance on the role of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) in securing strong outcomes for all children. 

Curriculum Intent

At St Mary’s Catholic Primary School the curriculum in Early Years is designed to provide a broad and balanced education that meets the needs of all pupils, building upon their starting points. It facilitates children in gaining the skills, knowledge and understanding they need to prepare them for the next stages of their educational journey. 

Our ethos in Early Years is to support children’s personal, social and emotional development so that they feel safe, secure, happy and in a place where they are ready to learn. Through the seven areas of learning we provide topics that excite and engage children, building upon their own interests and developing their experiences of the wider world around them.  

We recognise that all children enter our setting with varied experiences and all staff work hard to ensure that the learning opportunities provided widen children’s knowledge and understanding of the world, setting ambitious expectations for all our children.  

The curriculum celebrates diversity and supports the pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Those children with specific needs, including SEND, are supported appropriately allowing them to reach their full potential. 

Outdoor Learning 

Outdoor provision is an integral part of daily learning and supports all areas of the EYFS curriculum. Our outdoor environment provides rich opportunities for children to play and explore, engage in active learning, and create and think critically.

Children are encouraged to make independent choices, follow their interests and take increasing ownership of their learning. Carefully organised, accessible resources promote collaboration, communication, physical development, creativity, problem-solving and exploration.

Provision is continually adapted in response to children’s interests, individual needs and identified learning gaps, ensuring experiences are purposeful, engaging and appropriately challenging. Practitioners use observations and interactions to extend learning and support children in applying and developing their knowledge and skills outdoors.

The quality of our outdoor provision was recognised in 2024 when the school received the ‘Step into Quality’ Award for commitment and excellence in outdoor provision, reflecting our commitment to providing a high-quality environment that inspires curiosity, independence and a love of learning.

EYFS Principles

Our provision is guided by the statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage and is underpinned by the following principles:

Every child is unique

We recognise that every child brings their own experiences, strengths, interests and needs to school. We provide a broad, balanced and inclusive curriculum that ensures equality of opportunity and maintains high expectations for all. Through responsive provision and adaptive teaching, children are supported and challenged to achieve their potential. 

Positive relationships support learning

We recognise that secure, positive relationships are fundamental to children’s development and learning. Through warm and nurturing interactions, children develop the confidence to explore, take risks and engage with new experiences. Positive relationships support children’s social and emotional development, helping them to cooperate with others, manage their feelings and develop the independence needed to become effective learners. 

Enabling environments promote progress

Children learn best in well-organised, stimulating environments where they are encouraged to explore, investigate and develop their own ideas. Our indoor and outdoor provision is carefully planned to provide meaningful opportunities for children to practise, apply and extend their learning. Knowledgeable adults know the children well and use skilled interactions, modelling and scaffolding to respond to emerging needs and move learning forward. 

Learning is sequential and purposeful

Teaching is carefully sequenced to build on prior learning and introduce new knowledge and skills in a logical progression. Children are supported to make connections between experiences and develop increasingly secure understanding over time. Our curriculum provides a clear pathway of learning that prepares children effectively for the transition into Key Stage 1. 

As a result of our ambitious, inclusive and carefully sequenced Early Years curriculum at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, children make strong progress from their individual starting points. They develop the knowledge, skills, confidence, independence and vocabulary needed to become successful learners and are well prepared for the next stage of their education. 

Through meaningful experiences, positive relationships and purposeful learning, children develop a love of learning, the confidence to explore and the resilience to face new challenges. We aim to ensure that every child leaves the EYFS with strong foundations for future success and ready to continue their journey of being “Called to make a difference.”