EYFS Curriculum

Early Years Curriculum Design

At Audlem St James, our Early Years curriculum is designed to ensure every child can “Let their light shine.” We believe all children deserve an education filled with curiosity, creativity and meaningful experiences. These foundations help them develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to become confident, well-rounded and happy learners.

We promote the 5 Rs, woven throughout our approach to learning and wellbeing:

· Readiness: Children feel safe, confident and emotionally prepared to learn.

· Resourcefulness: Children show initiative, ask thoughtful questions and explore different ways to solve problems.

· Reflectiveness: Children learn from mistakes, talk about their learning and recognise their progress.

· Resilience: Children persevere when tasks are challenging and stay engaged in their learning.

· Remembering: Children build on previous learning and make meaningful connections.

Our curriculum focuses strongly on personal, social and emotional development so that children feel secure, valued and able to learn. It offers a broad and balanced education through the seven areas of learning, designed to meet each child’s starting point. Staff plan experiences that excite and engage children, build on their interests and expand their understanding of the world by observing play schemas, natural curiosity and connecting this to key learning outcomes.

We celebrate diversity and ensure learning is inclusive. Children with SEND or additional needs are supported through adaptive teaching, targeted interventions and enabling environments so that they can achieve success.

Early Years Curriculum Delivery

We deliver a curriculum that is coherent, ambitious and tailored to children’s individual needs. It builds knowledge and skills progressively while nurturing the Characteristics of Effective Learning.

We:

· Plan carefully sequenced learning that provide meaningful, hands-on experiences through a concept-led approach to support child led exploration and deeper understanding.

· Offer high-quality child-initiated learning and purposeful play invitations within thoughtfully designed environments using open-ended, authentic resources.

· Prioritise excellent adult–child interactions, including SHREC and explicit teaching of oracy skills.

· Use observations to understand children’s interests, schemas and needs, adapting provision and planning accordingly.

· Provide a nurturing approach so that every child feels supported, encouraged and ready to learn.

· Offer purposeful challenge and high-quality feedback to develop resilience, problem-solving and a growth mindset.

· Work in close partnership with parents through Tapestry and suggest home learning ideas that build on children’s school experiences. Parents are invited to share in their child’s learning and attend events to celebrate children’s achievement.

Literacy is taught through Pathways to Write and high-quality texts that promote rich language and a love of reading. Literacy skills are also embedded within continuous provision.

Phonics is taught daily using Read Write Inc., following a structured progression of sounds and decodable books. Skills are revisited regularly to secure understanding.

Mathematics is taught through daily sessions using concrete resources and real-life contexts. The focus begins with mastery of numbers 0–5, progressing to 0–10 and 0–20, enabling children to apply mathematical thinking across learning.

Achievement

By the end of the Foundation Stage, children at Audlem St James:

· Make strong progress from their starting points across all areas of learning.

· Develop confident communication and listening skills that support their wider learning.

· Apply their knowledge in different contexts and talk about their thinking.

· Show curiosity, independence and sustained engagement in activities.

· Use experiences of the world to support new learning and interactions.

· Demonstrate the Characteristics of Effective Learning—resilience, reflection, resourcefulness and readiness to learn.

· Are prepared for Year 1 as confident, enthusiastic and capable learners.

Children leave Reception equipped with essential knowledge and skills for everyday life and future learning. They are well-rounded, inquisitive, compassionate and ready for the next stage of their education.