At St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary, our aim is to promote the principles and commitments of the statutory EYFS framework (2023) and non-statutory curriculum guidance ‘Development Matters’ and ‘Birth to 5 Matters’.

The EYFS has four guiding principles that shape our practice. These are:

• Unique child
• Positive relationships
• Enabling environments
• Learning and development

The EYFS framework is organised into seven areas of learning and development. All areas of learning and development are important and are interconnected. A consistent observation, assessment and planning cycle ensures that all children can progress in all areas of development.

Prime areas – these are particularly important for building a foundation for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, forming relationships and thriving. These three areas are the most important to ensure a strong foundation for children’s development.

1. Communication and language
2. Personal, social and emotional development
3. Physical development

Specific areas – provide children with a broad curriculum and with opportunities to strengthen and apply the prime areas. These are particularly important in developing language and extending vocabulary.

4. Literacy
5. Mathematics
6. Understanding the World
7. Expressive Arts and Design

Our curriculum always considers the individual needs, interests and development of each child, and we use this information to plan challenging and enjoyable experiences for all children in all areas of development. We work towards children achieving the Early Learning Goals by the end of Reception year.

Alongside the seven areas of learning, when planning and guiding what children learn, we must reflect on the different rates at which children are developing and adjust our practice appropriately. Three characteristics of effective teaching and learning are:

• playing and exploring – engagement
• active learning – motivation
• creating and thinking critically – thinking