Early Years Foundation Stage

'The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child's own natural desire to  learn.' Maria Montessori

Intent: The intent of the Early Years Foundation Stage at St John the Evangelist CE (VA) Primary School is to provide a strong start for every child aged 3 - 5. It aims to support holistic development through play-based learning, ensuring children are school-ready by the end of Reception.

We ensure that the EYFS framework prioritises the three prime areas of Communication and Language, Physical Development, and Personal, Social and Emotional Development, underpinning four specific areas of Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, and Expressive Arts and Design.

Our EYFS curriculum has been designed with the children’s interest at the heart and it promotes individuality, recognising unique needs and talents.

Our goal as Early Educators is to foster curiosity, resilience, and confidence, preparing children academically and socially for Key Stage 1, 2 and beyond. We strive for inclusivity across Nursery and Reception ensuring all, including disadvantaged learners, thrive.

We believe that:

• 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.
• Children develop and learn at different rates. The framework covers the education and care of all children in early years provision, including children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Implementation: Our EYFS curriculum is implemented through a play-based, child-led approach. Leaders and staff plan activities tied to the seven areas of learning, balancing adult-guided and independent exploration. Daily routines, like snack time, embed skills such as counting or sharing. Observations assess progress, allow us to tailor support for all learners. Our rich EYFS environments -  both inside and outside spaces stimulate curiosity and love for learning. Phonics, Drawing Club, daily mathematics and physical play are structured, yet flexible to the needs of individuals. Our parents actively engage through updates and workshops, extending learning at home. Leaders ensure that robust staff training ensures consistency. This dynamic implementation fosters development, adapting to each child’s pace and interests effectively.

We also encourage the children to become effective learners through skilfully planning and implementation of the Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning:

• Playing and exploring - children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’
• Active learning - children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulty and enjoy achievements.
• Creating and thinking critically - children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things

Impact: The impact of our EYFS provision is evident in children’s readiness for Year 1. By the end of Reception, most achieve the Early Learning Goals, showing competence in literacy, numeracy, as well as in the Prime areas of learning. Leaders and staff ensure that children can communicate confidently, solve simple problems, and form friendships, reflecting strong personal development. A carefully constricted curriculum supports outcomes across EYFS, especially for disadvantaged children, narrowing the gap.

Our play-based approach boosts engagement, with children displaying curiosity and resilience.

At St John the Evangelist CE (VA) Primary School our long-term goal across children’s time in Nursery and Reception is to fosters a love for learning. We believe that parental involvement strengthens home support, amplifying impact. Overall, leaders and staff build a solid foundation for academic and emotional success.

 More information about the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum:

Prime areas:

• Communication and Language
• Physical Development
• Personal, Social, and Emotional Development.

Specific areas:

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

Click to view: The Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework

Early Years Foundation Stage at St John the Evangelist CE (VA) Primary School consists of Nursery and two Reception classes.

Click on the link: Learning in Cherry Nursery Class

Click on the link: Learning in Oak and Beech Reception Classes

'The early years curriculum enthuses children. This is because staff carefully design activities that spark children’s natural curiosity and creativity.' OFSTED 2020