Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
At St Andrew’s, our Early Years provision follows the EYFS Statutory Framework (2024). We work in partnership with parents to ensure every child develops the knowledge, skills and confidence they need for a successful start to school.
The Prime Areas of Learning
In Reception, we place particular emphasis on the three prime areas, which underpin all future learning:
- Communication and Language – developing speaking, listening and vocabulary.
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development – building confidence, resilience and positive relationships.
- Physical Development – supporting coordination, strength and healthy choices.
Secure development in these areas provides the essential foundations in knowledge and skills that children need to access the wider curriculum and achieve long-term success.
Communication and Quality Interactions
Language is at the heart of everything we do. Staff create a language-rich environment and use high-quality interactions to extend children’s thinking and vocabulary.
We use the ShREC approach (Share, Respond, Expand, Conversation) to support children’s speaking and listening skills and ensure meaningful back-and-forth talk every day.
Learning Through Play
Play is central to our approach. Through planned, purposeful experiences, children develop independence, resilience and critical thinking. We nurture the Characteristics of Effective Learning: playing and exploring, active learning, and creating and thinking critically.
Learning is delivered through a balance of adult-led teaching and purposeful play, allowing children to practise, apply and deepen their knowledge.