Intent 

At St Peter’s, we believe the Early Years is the foundation on which children build their rest of their lives. We greatly value the importance that the EYFS plays in laying secure foundations for future learning and development. We consider the relationship between home, school and within the local community is paramount in the development and well-being of children in our care. Through a positive caring environment, we provide the opportunity for every child to reach their full potential. They develop the necessary skills and independence through a broad and balanced curriculum which is interwoven with the teaching of God, Jesus and the bible. 

‘One Family, Aiming High, Learning together with God’

We aim for all children to develop a passion for learning both inside and out of the classroom and we want all the children to leave our foundation stage unit as happy, confident, resilient learners who are kind to others and care for their environment. 

Implementation 

At St Peter’s we provide a broad and balanced curriculum that will enable each child to develop personally, socially, emotionally, spiritually, physically, creatively and intellectually reaching their full potential.

At St Peter’s, we will: 

• Provide a happy, safe, stimulating and challenging curriculum both in the indoor and outdoor classrooms and development for the children to experience as they begin their journey through school. 
• Provide a broad, balanced, relevant and creative curriculum that will set in place firm foundations for further learning and development in Key Stage 1 and beyond and enable choice and decision making, fostering independence and self-confidence. 
• Use and value what each child can do, assessing their individual needs and helping each child to progress against their baseline.
• Develop strong, valuable relationships with parents and carers to build a strong partnership in supporting their children. 
• Provide a caring and inclusive learning environment which is sensitive to the requirements of the individual child including those who have additional needs. 
• Foundation stage practitioners ensure that all children feel included, secure and valued.
• To provide opportunities for children to engage in activities planned by adults and those that children plan or initiate themselves. 
• Involve parents and carers.

Impact 

We aim for all pupils to leave the foundation stage not just ready for KS1, not just with a good level of development, but as well-rounded individuals and passionate learners. We support our children through diverse and exciting curriculum that has prepared them for life and has challenged them. All pupils, including those with EAL, SEND, PP and vulnerabilities, will have achieved their best and will have acquired a range of knowledge and vocabulary to allow them to continue this growth within KS1.

This is all underpinned by the principles detailed within Development matters;

• 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 with teaching and support from adults, who respond to their individual interests and needs and help them to build their learning over time.
• Children benefit from a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and/or carers.
• importance of learning and development. Children develop and learn at different rates.

These three prime areas are:

• communication and language
• physical development
• personal, social and emotional development 
•  

The specific areas are:

• mathematics
• ​​​​​​​literacy
• understanding the world
• expressive arts and design.

Promoting British Values 

In the Foundation Stage at St Peter’s, we develop and promote British Values throughout the provision, routines, within our curriculum and through weekly worship.

“We want every school to promote the basic British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs.” Lord Nash

A key part of our plan for education is to ensure children become valuable and fully rounded members of society who treat others with respect and leave school fully prepared for life in modern Britain.

The fundamental British Values are: Democracy, The Rule of Law, Individual Liberty and Mutual Respect.  The following examples are how we actively promote British Values within the setting:

Democracy

• We encourage children to know that their views count and opinions are important by following their interests for topics and activities.
• We enable children to make decisions together when sharing toys or constructing together.
• Children are encouraged to see their own role in society during our discussions about family, nursery, moving to reception or a new school
• Children learn to value each other's views and beliefs and can talk about their feelings during circle time or within their group activities.
• At storytime, children have the opportunity to vote by raising their hands to choose a book to listen to.
• Our resources and activities are chosen to encourage turn-taking, sharing, discussion and working together.
• During circle time and within group work the children are encouraged to listen to others and to value and respect the contributions made by their peers.

We have created an environment where it is safe to make mistakes, share thoughts and ideas and to explore different options.​​​​​​​

The Rule of Law

• Staff and children work together to create group rules.
• At registration, we discuss our rules and how they keep everyone safe and happy.
• Our 'reflection' chair and feelings board teaches children to understand their own and others behaviour and feelings, along with their consequences.
• We work in an environment where actions are consistent, followed through and open for discussion.

Children are encouraged and supported to understand right from wrong and to take turns, share and compromise.​​​​​​​

Individual Liberty

• We plan activities to enable children to develop a positive sense of themselves.
• We share achievements during registration to help develop self-esteem and promote independence in self-care skills to help develop confidence.
• Our free flow setting enables children to try a range of different activities and opportunities as well as allowing them to discuss and select their own preferences.
• Children are encouraged to ask questions and trust that their opinions and ideas will be respected and valued.
• We plan activities and incorporate resources to allow children to follow and develop their own interests and ideas.
• We avoid gender stereotypes and children are encouraged and free to play as they wish.
• Children are encouraged to value and respect differences whilst also appreciating similarities.

Mutual Respect and Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs

• We work as a group to create an environment that includes, values and promotes different faiths, cultures, views and races.
• We provide opportunities for the children to make links with the wider community: outings to local places, stay and play sessions for family members and we invite speakers to visit us.
• We enjoy celebrating a wide range of festivals and occasions to enable the children to learn about their differences and similarities.
• Children have the opportunity to learn about the world around them through local trips and visits, books, videos, cultural days, local events and national celebrations.

CULTURAL CAPITAL 

WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE EARLY YEARS

Ofsted's new Education Inspection Framework has introduced the concept of cultural capital.  Cultural capital is the essential knowledge that children need to prepare them for their future success.  It is about giving children the best possible start to their early years education.

St Peter’s has devised a curriculum to enhance the experience and opportunities available to ALL children.  We endeavour to help the children experience the awe and wonder of the world in which they live through the 7 areas of learning of the EYFS.  All of our activities are planned to be exciting, stimulating and of benefit to a child's learning and development.