EYFS

Welcome to EYFS at St Stephen's Primary School.

Our Vision.

Here in the EYFS at St Stephens, we will provide a safe, inclusive, nurturing and engaging environment and curriculum for ALL. We will celebrate diversity, promote inclusion and be respectful, empathetic role models for our families. We expect our families to engage with our exciting and challenging curriculum and support us in shaping our children to become kind, respectful, confident and independent learners.

Aim high and conquer the world!

The EYFS Induction Process 

Here at St Stephens, we pride ourselves on our robust Induction Plan for our new children and families. Our aim is to ensure that your both you and your child feel part of our school family long before September.

During the Summer Term, prior to starting school the following September, there are several parts of Induction that take place. These are detailed below:

• Parents are invited to attend an ‘Induction Meeting’ at school following on from an email which will confirm you have a place at the school.
• Foundation Stage staff visit pre-school settings to meet the children and their Key Workers.
• Foundation Stage staff complete Home Visits with the family including your child.
• Children and parents are invited to ‘Stay and Play’ sessions in school.
• Children attend an ‘Induction morning’ on their own towards the end of the academic year.
• Any children with Special Education Needs and children who pre-school staff or parents think will struggle to settle at school are invited to visit more frequently during the final half term if this can be facilitated.

In September, the children have a staggered but swift introduction to school. The children are inducted over the course of three days with a maximum of twenty new children arriving each day. 

It is important to say that if you have any questions, queries or concerns at any point you are most welcome to contact school. 

Our EYFS Curriculum

At St Stephen's, our EYFS curriculum is based on a blend of 'Development Matters' goals and objectives, following the pupil's interests and targeted steps of learning as outlined by each subject leader. We usually pick an overarching theme for the half term but then often follow different learning opportunities which arise through pupil's curiosity and exploration.

We follow the Read write Inc programme for Phonics and start each day with a rigorous and engaging phonic session. Children are grouped according to their ability from Autumn 2 and pupils who need additional support to keep up have daily phonic support.

For Mathematics, we have created a bespoke curriculum for our pupils which combines daily 'Mastering number' sessions with 'White Rose' mathematics in order for pupils to have a strong foundational understanding of number, shape, pattern and mathematical language. 

We also have 'Drawing Club' three times per week in which our pupils listen to their weekly story, develop their vocabulary and use their imagination and creativity to create pictures and start to write words and sentences. Alongside this, we complete daily handwriting practice from October onwards to develop secure and correct letter formation. 

Other focus lessons include P.E., R.E., UTW, Music and PSHE. 

Our focus teaching is underpinned by high quality continuous provision in both the indoor and outdoor areas. This provision is well-organised, easily accessible, follows children's interests, provides opportunity for discovery and play, underpins and provides opportunities to consolidate and extend the pupil's knowledge and understanding.