At Christ Church First School, we recognise that the Early Years Foundation Stage provides the foundations for lifelong learning. We are committed to developing confident, curious and independent learners through a nurturing, language-rich environment where children feel safe, valued and inspired to explore. Our carefully planned curriculum supports children in acquiring the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to flourish in Reception, Key Stage One and beyond.

We place communication and language at the heart of our curriculum. Through meaningful conversations, storytelling, role play, high-quality interactions and carefully chosen texts, children develop the confidence to express their ideas, ask questions and engage with the world around them. We recognise that strong communication skills underpin all future learning and therefore provide rich opportunities for children to listen, speak, discuss and build vocabulary every day.

Our curriculum is designed around the needs of our children and is rooted in the Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning: Playing and Exploring, Active Learning, and Creating and Thinking Critically. We provide a balance of adult-directed and child-led learning opportunities, allowing children to develop independence, curiosity and resilience whilst following their interests and deepening their understanding through purposeful play.

High-quality texts are at the centre of our curriculum and provide meaningful contexts for learning across all areas of the EYFS. Carefully selected stories, non-fiction texts, rhymes and poems help children develop language, imagination and a love of reading, while also supporting their understanding of themselves, their community and the wider world.

Our curriculum promotes development across all seven areas of learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage:

  • Communication and Language
  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development
  • Physical Development
  • Literacy
  • Mathematics
  • Understanding the World
  • Expressive Arts and Design

These areas are interwoven throughout our provision and are delivered through a combination of high-quality teaching, practical experiences, exploration and play. Learning opportunities are carefully planned to ensure children build knowledge progressively whilst making meaningful connections between different areas of the curriculum.

Early reading is a key priority. Through the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised phonics programme, children develop the foundations to become confident readers and writers. Daily phonics teaching is complemented by opportunities to apply skills through reading, storytelling, mark-making and writing across both the indoor and outdoor environment.

Mathematical understanding is developed through practical experiences, investigation and discussion. Children learn to count, recognise patterns, solve problems and develop a secure understanding of number through both adult-led teaching and child-initiated exploration.

Our indoor and outdoor learning environments are carefully designed to inspire creativity, enquiry and independence. Through imaginative play, construction, investigation, artistic experiences, outdoor learning and enrichment opportunities, children are encouraged to explore their interests, take risks in their learning and develop a sense of wonder about the world around them.

We recognise that children enter Reception with a wide range of experiences and starting points. Through strong relationships, high expectations and skilled adult interactions, we support every child to develop confidence, resilience and positive attitudes towards learning.

Our aim is that every child leaves the Early Years Foundation Stage as a happy, confident and capable learner; a skilled communicator, an enthusiastic reader, an independent thinker and a resilient individual who is fully prepared for the next stage of their education.

Getting Reception-ready

Growing independence 

Taking care of themselves 

Toilet training

Playing, creativity and curiosity 

Building relationships and communicating

Being with others

Communication and language

Listening and engaging

Physical development

Healthy routines

Understand what 'healthy' levels of screen time are, by age

Get insights on internet safety, how screen use impacts young children and recommended screen time

And for those with younger children, the NCT covers advice for babies and toddlers too:

Help children build a strong relationship with food and make the right choices from the start

Brushing teeth

Sleep guidance