Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum (EYFS)

At Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, we recognise that the Early Years Foundation Stage is a vital period of learning and development in every child’s life. Our approach is grounded in developmentally appropriate practice, informed by a deep understanding of each child’s individual needs and the social, cultural, and linguistic contexts in which they learn.

We have high expectations for every child and are committed to helping each one reach their full potential. We aim to develop lifelong learners within an environment that celebrates and promotes each child’s individual interests, encouraging curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning.

We believe that a well-planned, play-based curriculum, delivered within a nurturing and supportive environment, provides the best foundation for our children to grow, explore, and thrive.

EYFS Curriculum

A carefully designed and sequenced curriculum has been developed using the new EYFS Educational Programmes for each area of learning*, recent research and additional guidance. It identifies key skills and knowledge for children to be taught term by term, deepening learning and enabling them to achieve the early learning goals at the end of Reception’s academic year.

Through high quality texts - fiction and non-fiction - a broad, balanced curriculum is facilitated. A curriculum enhanced through a range of first-hand practical experiences, within and beyond school.

High quality learning environments are in place indoors and outdoors, facilitating early years pedagogy. They provide opportunity for children to practise, consolidate and apply ongoing and new learning, across all areas and also the characteristics of effective teaching and learning. 

Throughout the daily routine, practitioners ensure children have a balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities. It is recognised that young children learn by taking part in activities guided by knowledgeable adults and lead their own learning sensitively supported by practitioners. During the Reception class summer term, the balance of learning is developed to support smooth transition into Y1.

• * The seven areas of learning in EYFS are split into the Prime Areas of Learning and the Specific Areas of Learning. They are:
  • Prime Areas
    • Communication and Language
    • Personal, Social and Emotional Development 
    • Physical Development
  • Specific Areas
    • Literacy
    • Mathematics
    • Understanding the World 
    • Expressive Arts and Design

Early Learning Goals

Underlying each of the 17 areas of learnings, are the, 'Characteristics of Effective Learning.'  These describe the behaviours children need to use in order to learn effectively and they include:

• Playing and Exploring
• Active Learning
• Thinking and Creating Critically

To see our full curriculum information please follow the links below:

Nursery Curriculum

Reception Curriculum