Nursery and Reception
At St Mary of the Angels Primary School, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum, which provides a strong foundation for your child’s learning and growth. Rooted in our Catholic faith, we are dedicated to helping each child develop their full potential in a safe and nurturing environment. We consider each child’s starting point and encourage them to grow into independent, curious, creative, and resilient learners. Guided by our mission statement, "Following Jesus in all we think, do and say," we inspire children to respect one another, their communities and the world that God created for us.
Our goal is to make every child’s learning journey exciting and enjoyable. Through a creative and stimulating curriculum, we ensure that learning is linked to the interests of the children while also offering experiences that broaden their understanding of the world around them. We place a strong emphasis on developing communication skills, helping children express themselves confidently, share their opinions and feel heard.
We believe that strong relationships between the child, their family and the school are essential for positive learning outcomes. In partnership with families, we aim to ensure that every child feels valued as an individual created by God, empowered to meet their needs, and supported to achieve the Early Years Learning Goals (ELGs). Together, we build a foundation of faith, learning, and respect that will last a lifetime.
Our Learning Environment
Play is key to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and supports all areas of children's development. Through play, children build language, creativity, social, and intellectual skills. We recognise that some children may need extra support and ensure they have a nurturing environment to grow.
Both indoor and outdoor play offer opportunities for exploration, problem-solving, and imagination. Our adults provide the necessary resources and space, observing and engaging when appropriate, to create safe and stimulating environments that enhance learning and development.
EYFS Curriculum at St Mary of the Angels
In Nursery and Reception, we follow the Early Years Curriculum, which is divided into seven areas of learning:
Prime Areas (building curiosity, relationships, and essential skills):
- Personal, Social, and Emotional Development: Learning to share, take turns, and interact with others.
- Communication and Language: Speaking, listening, and understanding.
- Physical Development: Including fine motor skills like pencil control.
Specific Areas (strengthening and applying Prime Areas):
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts and Design
We deliver these through a mix of adult-led activities and child-initiated learning (CIL). Children explore classroom and outdoor areas enhanced with challenges and questions to stretch their learning. Pupils at St Mary of the Angels are also given the freedom to choose activities and resources, allowing them to explore their own interests and engage in meaningful, self-directed learning.
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2024-25 The Early Learning Goals SMA | [pdf 252KB] |
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curriculum pdf | [pdf 235KB] |
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Phonics | |
Phonics in EYFS In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), children are introduced to phonics through the Essential Letters and Sounds programme. This is complemented by teacher assessments tailored to the needs of the class. For some children, additional support is provided through a smaller group intervention programme. Phonics is also seamlessly integrated into daily activities such as nursery rhymes, singing, and storytelling, creating a rich and engaging learning environment. | |
Maths | |
White Rose Maths - Calculation Policy |
Parent Workshops and Events
Autumn Term:
Welcome Meeting and transition into EYFS: Friday 13th September @ 9:00am
Foundation Stage Stay and Play: Thursday 17th October @ 8:30-8:50am or 3:20-3:40pm
Phonics and Reading Workshop EYFS and KS1: Thursday 7th November @ 2:45pm
Foundation Stage Funday: Friday 22nd November 2024 @ 2:00pm
Foundation Stage Oral Health Workshop: Wednesday 27th November 2024
EYFS and Year 1 Purposeful Activity Play Training: Thursday 27th November 2024
Foundation Stage Nativity: Wednesday 11th December @ 9:30am (parents/carers)
Spring Term:
Robins Class Assembly: Friday 14th February 2025
Summer Term:
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EYFS and KS1 English and Reading Nov 2024 | [pdf 3MB] |
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EYFS Useful Links
Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework | |
For group and school-based providers Setting the standards for learning, development and care for children from birth to five. | |
SeeSaw Support for Families | |
Seesaw is a secure online Learning Journal to record photos, observations and comments, in line with the Early Years curriculum, to build up a record of your child’s experiences during their time with us. This system allows us to work with parents and carers to share information and record the children’s play and learning in and outside of the classroom. | |
Development Matters | |
Non-statutory curriculum guidance for the early years foundation stage | |
EYFS Book Recommendations | |
Here are a selection of recommended booklists for children in the Early Years which covers everything from storytime favourites and recommended EYFS non-fiction to popular EYFS topics with books about minibeasts and books about superheroes. | |
Every Child Matters | |
This Green Paper outlines the Government's proposals for the reform and improvement of child care. Every Child Matters is a UK government initiative for England and Wales, that was launched in 2003 and represented the government’s recognition of the value of investing in prevention and early intervention. This initiative covers children and young adults up to the age of 19, or 24 for those with disabilities |