Early Years at St Cuthbert’s
Intent
St Cuthbert’s provides an environment in which Gospel values are exemplified and lived out. We strive to support, enrich and celebrate each person’s uniqueness ad their awareness and understanding of God’s presence in the world.
Children are given a creative, inclusive, challenging and real-world curriculum that inspires future thinkers, innovators and problem solvers in an immersive environment that stimulates and supports high quality learning. To ensure that all learners exceed their potential academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually with their families, in their communities as in the wider world ensuring that they become ambitious lifelong learners.
Purpose
A child’s ‘Learning Journey’ begins in Early Years. Early Years is the foundation of all learning and is a critical stage of our children’s development. We believe that the Early Years Foundation Stage is imperative in securing solid foundations that children are going to continue to build upon as they continue their learning journey. It is our intent that the children who enter our EYFS develop physically, verbally, cognitively and emotionally whilst embedding a positive attitude to school and learning.
Implementation
Every child deserves the best possible start in life and support to fulfil their potential. A child’s experience in the early years has a major impact on their future life chances. A secure, safe and happy childhood is important in its own right, and it provides the foundation for children to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow up. When parents choose to use early years services, they want to know that provision will keep their children safe and help them to thrive. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the framework that provides that assurance.
Our Early Years curriculum is delivered through:
- Well planned and purposeful play-based activities
- Teacher directed lessons and learning activities
- Child led activities
- Opportunities for exploration, choice and decision making by the children
- Well-resourced indoor and outdoor environments
- The Early Years Teaching ensure that children are equipped with a range of knowledge, skills and experiences that provide the right foundation for good progress through school and life.
- Creates and maintains an exciting and stimulating learning environment
- Ensures that each child’s education has continuity and progression
- Enables all children to contribute positively within a culturally diverse society
- Promotes challenge, innovation and entrepreneurialism
- Opportunities to learn in different environments.