Our approach involves both child-initiated and teacher-supported learning. We encourage children’s learning and enquiry through interactions that aim to stretch their thinking to higher levels. Our aim is to have an environment that is welcoming, friendly, supportive and challenging. We wish for all children  to have a happy and confident beginning to their school life at St James C of E Primary School.

The Curriculum

The curriculum in the Foundation Stage is taught through the Early Learning Goals. Our EYFS area is a carefully planned and well-resourced environment that caters for the various needs of a young child. We offer a broad range of experiences in Early years, both indoors and outdoors. Our Early Years team plan a range of purposeful activities which inspire and engage children as well as match the different levels of need.

There are seven areas of learning that shape our educational programme.

The 3 prime areas are:

• Communication and Language
• Physical Development
• Personal, social and emotional development

Children are also supported within the 4 specific areas of:

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the World
• Expressive Arts and Design

Play based learning 

The children will have the opportunity throughout their day to engage in play-based activities indoors and outdoors. They will have access to a variety of areas within the classroom where they can independently choose and lead their own learning. Play-based learning provides opportunities for children to actively and imaginatively engage with people, objects and the environment. Children are naturally motivated to play. Our play based curriculum builds on this motivation, using play as a context for learning. In this context, children can explore, experiment, discover and solve problems in an imaginative way.

Our Goals 

At the core of our Early Years curriculum are the Characteristics of Effective Learning.

These characteristics support children in their learning journey and we encourage the development of these characteristics in order to give them all the resources they need for learning throughout their school journey.

These characteristics, as well as the key knowledge, skills and vocabulary they learn in Reception, are evidenced in the end of Early Years goals. 

At St James, we have also set other goals for all children to achieve by the end of the year.