The Early Years Foundation Stage 

(EYFS)

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the statutory framework which sets the standards for the learning, development and care of children from birth to five years of age. It provides assurance to parents, carers and professionals that children will be supported in a safe, high-quality and consistent environment. It ensures that children's early education will enable them to make secure progress towards future learning and success.

The purpose of the EYFS is to:

• Establish clear standards for early learning and development.
• Ensure all children develop the broad range of knowledge and skills that provide a firm foundation for school readiness.
• Promote equality of opportunity and foster positive attitudes towards learning.
• Provide a secure, caring and stimulating environment that meets individual needs.

At St Joseph the Worker, the EYFS framework is implemented through structured planning, observation and assessment. Teachers provide a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities, ensuring that provision is tailored to children’s interests, developmental stages and next steps in learning. Progress is monitored against the statutory Early Learning Goals, with evidence gathered to inform practice and support transition into Key Stage 1.

The EYFS is structured around seven areas of learning and development, divided into Prime and Specific areas.

Prime Areas of Learning

• Communication and Language: Developing listening, attention, understanding and spoken language to enable effective communication.
• Physical Development: Promoting control and coordination of movement, fine and gross motor skills and encouraging healthy lifestyles.
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development: Supporting self-regulation, fostering positive relationships and developing self-confidence and independence.

Specific Areas of Learning

• Literacy: Building early reading and writing skills through phonics, vocabulary development and engagement with texts.
• Mathematics: Developing an understanding of number, counting, pattern, shape, space and measures.
• Understanding the World: Expanding children’s knowledge of people, communities, technology and the natural environment.
• Expressive Arts and Design: Encouraging creativity, imagination, and self-expression through art, music, movement, role play, and design.

Characteristics of Effective Learning

The EYFS recognises that how children learn is as important as what they learn. The Characteristics of Effective Learning underpin all areas of development and describe the key ways in which children engage with people, objects and experiences in their environment.

These characteristics are:

• Playing and Exploring (engagement through curiosity and investigation) – Children investigate and experience things, showing curiosity and willingness to try new activities. They use play to explore, develop ideas and test understanding.
• Active Learning (motivation and persistence through concentration and effort) – Children show high levels of concentration, persistence and enjoyment in their learning. They are motivated to complete tasks, celebrate their achievements and recover from setbacks.
• Creating and Thinking Critically (deeper understanding through problem solving, strategy development and idea generation) – Children develop their ability to think creatively, make connections between ideas, plan strategies and solve problems. They begin to evaluate different approaches and adapt their learning when required.

Together, these characteristics ensure that children not only acquire knowledge and skills but also develop the attitudes, dispositions and approaches to learning that will support them throughout their education and beyond.

Working Together

We value the strong partnership between school and home. Parents are children’s first and most important educators.  We work closely with you to support your child’s learning and well-being. Through regular communication, updates and shared observations, we’ll celebrate your child’s growth every step of the way.

Religious Education (RE) in Reception: The Catholic Curriculum

As part of our commitment to nurturing your child’s spiritual growth alongside their academic development, our Reception class follows the Religious Education Directory (RED) curriculum. This curriculum is designed to introduce your child to the love of God, the teachings of Jesus and the Catholic faith in a way that is joyful, meaningful and age-appropriate.

What does the RE Curriculum in Reception look like?

In Reception, the RE curriculum is based on learning about God’s love, the life of Jesus and how we live as part of God’s family. It supports your child’s understanding of faith through stories, prayer, celebration and practical activities that bring Gospel values to life.

The curriculum is organised around simple, engaging themes that help children begin to explore and develop their relationship with God and others.

How we teach RE in Reception

• Storytelling: Bible stories about Jesus and other important figures in the faith help children understand God’s love in everyday life.

• Prayer and Reflection: Simple prayers and quiet times encourage children to talk to God and listen in their hearts.

• Hands-on Activities: Art, music, role-play, and celebrations help children experience faith in creative and engaging ways.

• Living the Gospel Values: Children learn to practise kindness, sharing, forgiveness and love through their actions.

As a Catholic school, we are deeply committed to nurturing the spiritual development of each child. Rooted in Gospel values, our community is one of love, respect, and compassion. Your child will be gently immersed in the teachings of Christ, learning through stories, prayer, celebration, and daily acts of kindness. We aim to help every child grow not only academically, but spiritually and morally, developing a deep sense of care for others and for the world around them.

What Are the Gospel Values?

Gospel Values are the core values that come from the teachings and example of Jesus Christ, as found in the Gospels. These values guide how we live, how we treat others and how we grow together in faith and love as a school community. They are not just taught—they are lived out daily in all that we do.

Some of the key Gospel Values we promote include:

• Love – At the heart of all we do; we follow Jesus’ command to “love one another.”

• Respect – Every child and adult is made in the image of God and deserves dignity and care.

• Forgiveness – We teach the importance of saying sorry, forgiving others, and making peace.

• Honesty – We encourage truthfulness and integrity in all areas of school life.

• Humility – Inspired by Jesus’ example, we learn to put others first and serve with kindness.

• Compassion – We care deeply for those in need, encouraging empathy and generosity.

• Justice – We stand up for fairness and equality, working to make the world a better place.

• Hope – We foster confidence and faith in God’s plan, always encouraging children to look forward with joy.

A special part of our school ethos is a favourite word of Mrs. Poulter, our headteacher:

JOY 

Jesus, Others, Yourself.

This simple but powerful message reminds us of the Christian way to live a joyful and meaningful life:
 

Put Jesus first, Others second, and Yourself third.

It’s a guiding principle in how we teach children to live with purpose, kindness and faith.

Working Together

We encourage you to talk about these themes at home, share your own faith experiences and take part in school events and celebrations. This partnership helps your child grow strong in faith, confidence, and love.

If you have any questions about the RE curriculum or ways to support your child’s spiritual journey, please don’t hesitate to ask - Please also refer to our curriculum page for RE, for further information on what your children will be learning each term.

Please look at the Reception class page for updates.

You will find this under the 'children,' tab, class pages, Reception