Early Years Foundation Stage

At St Peter’s, we implement the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum through a carefully structured, topic-based approach, with a strong emphasis on learning through play and exploration. Our Nursery and Reception classes follow a two-year rotation of topics, ensuring children have the opportunity to engage with a wide range of themes. These topics include learning about families, similarities and differences, minibeasts, animals and plants, space, travel, and helpful heroes, which help children understand the world around them.

Central to our approach is the use of high-quality books and stories, which play a crucial role in all areas of learning. Stories foster a love for reading, promote language development, and encourage critical thinking. Through storytelling, children expand their vocabulary, build communication skills, and connect with the topics they are exploring.

Our curriculum is structured around both the Prime and Specific areas of learning. The Prime Areas—Personal, Social, and Emotional Development (PSED), Communication and Language, and Physical Development—are at the heart of our teaching. We encourage children to develop positive relationships, express themselves clearly, and engage in physical activities that support their fine and gross motor skills.

In addition, we focus on the Specific Areas: Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, and Expressive Arts and Design. We use the Supersonic Phonics Friends program to support phonics learning, helping children understand the sounds that form the basis of reading and writing. Through our mathematics activities, children explore numbers, shapes, and patterns. In Understanding the World, they learn about the natural world and people’s roles in society, while Expressive Arts and Design allows for creativity through art, music, and imaginative play.

This balanced and engaging curriculum provides a solid foundation for children’s future learning, while fostering curiosity and a love of discovery.