Intent

At St Wilfrid’s, we are passionate about giving our youngest children the best possible start to their learning journey. Guided by our vision, 'Learning and Growing Together, Living Life in All Its Fullness' and our core values of love, kindness, respect, faith, resilience, and joy, we aim to inspire a lifelong love of learning in all our pupils.

We believe every child is unique and capable of success when nurtured in a safe, happy, and stimulating environment. Our EYFS curriculum focusses on developing the whole child, fostering curiosity, creativity, and independence, while building strong foundations for their future learning and wellbeing.

Our aims are to:

• Ensure every child feels valued, loved, and cared for, promoting their emotional wellbeing and self-confidence.
• Embed our Christian values in all aspects of learning and development, nurturing compassionate, respectful, and resilient individuals.
• Offer a curriculum that reflects the four guiding principles of the EYFS Framework—The Unique Child, Positive Relationships, Enabling Environments, and Learning and Development.
• Provide rich, meaningful learning experiences that develop key skills in literacy, numeracy, communication, and problem-solving.
• Encourage children to explore, question, and think critically through play and active learning.
• Prioritize speech and language development by fostering a language-rich environment and broadening vocabulary.
• Deliver systematic phonics teaching to establish the foundations of early reading and writing.
• Highlight the importance of the arts, fostering creativity, confidence, and self-expression through music, drama, and art.
• Support children in developing the characteristics of effective learning, including perseverance, resilience, and critical thinking.

By tailoring our curriculum to meet the needs and interests of our children, we aim to develop confident, independent, and joyful learners who are prepared for the next stage of their education and for life in an ever-changing world.

Implementation

At St Wilfrid’s, our EYFS curriculum is delivered through a carefully balanced approach that integrates child-led play, adult-guided activities, and focused teaching sessions. The curriculum is designed to reflect the needs and interests of our children, ensuring a seamless progression of knowledge, skills, and personal development.

Our implementation strategies include:

• Enabling Environments: Both indoor and outdoor learning spaces are thoughtfully designed to inspire exploration, curiosity, and independence, providing children with opportunities to learn through play and hands-on experiences.
• Skilled Practitioners: Our experienced and knowledgeable staff observe, support, and extend children’s learning, ensuring activities are appropriately challenging and engaging.
• Phonics and Early Literacy: We teach phonics systematically, enabling children to develop the foundations for reading and writing. High-quality texts are integrated into all areas of learning to broaden vocabulary and nurture a love of stories and books.
• Language Development: A strong focus is placed on improving speech, communication, and vocabulary through language-rich interactions, storytelling, and planned speaking and listening activities.
• Creative Expression: The arts are embedded throughout our curriculum, offering opportunities for children to express themselves creatively and build confidence in music, drama, and art.
• Play and Exploration: We prioritise free-flow play alongside structured adult-led tasks, giving children the space to explore, take risks, and develop critical thinking skills.
• Focus on Individual Needs: Continuous observation and assessment ensure that learning activities are tailored to meet each child’s developmental needs and interests, enabling all children to thrive.
• Parental Engagement: We actively involve families in their child’s learning through regular communication, workshops, and opportunities to celebrate achievements together.

Our curriculum is underpinned by the EYFS framework, with non-statutory guidance from Development Matters and Birth to 5 Matters, and aligns with the school’s wider vision and values to ensure every child reaches their full potential.

Impact

The impact of our EYFS provision is evident in the confident, capable, and resilient learners who leave our Early Years setting ready to embrace the challenges of Key Stage 1.

By the end of their time in EYFS, children will have:

• Strong Foundations for Learning: Children will meet the Early Learning Goals (ELGs) and have a secure understanding of the skills and knowledge needed to progress in literacy, numeracy, and beyond.
• A Love of Learning: Pupils will demonstrate curiosity, creativity, and enthusiasm for learning, supported by strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
• Resilience and Confidence: Children will develop perseverance and independence, approaching challenges with a positive attitude and a sense of self-belief.
• Communication Skills: Pupils will have improved their speech, vocabulary, and ability to express themselves, preparing them to interact effectively in social and learning contexts.
• Christian Values in Action: Our pupils will embody our core values of love, kindness, respect, faith, resilience, and joy in their relationships with others and in their approach to life.
• Social and Emotional Wellbeing: Children will leave EYFS as happy, secure, and emotionally healthy individuals who can form positive relationships with peers and adults.
• Engagement with the Arts: Pupils will have had opportunities to explore their creativity and develop confidence through music, drama, and art.
• Readiness for Key Stage 1: Equipped with the characteristics of effective learning—playing and exploring, active learning, and critical thinking—children will be ready for the next stage of their educational journey.

We measure the success of our EYFS curriculum through ongoing assessments, children’s progress towards the ELGs, and the joy, curiosity, and resilience they demonstrate in their learning. Our aim is to nurture well-rounded individuals who embody our school’s values and are prepared to thrive both academically and personally.