Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
Early years provision builds firm foundations for children at the start of their educational journey. The curriculum is very carefully planned. It supports children to progress through each stage within early years, while preparing them extremely well for the learning they will encounter in Year 1.
(Ofsted Inspection Report March 2026)
I like playing in the garden and climbing the new climbing frame.
I like the new climbing frame in our garden.
I like the new garden and playing outside.
(Pupil Questionnaire Feedback 2023-2024)
At St. Mary's, we have two classes within the EYFS - Acorn Nursery and Chestnut Reception class.
Acorn Nursery has it's own bespoke and fully resourced building, welcoming children from 2 years to 4 years.
Chestnut also has a purpose built classroom within our main school building.
Both classes have their own outside areas, where they continue to enjoy activities linked to each area of the curriculum.
The EYFS curriculum for both of these classes is based on the EYFS Framework:
Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage
Seven areas of learning are taught across both Acorn and Chestnut. These are:
Three Prime Areas:
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Physical Development
- Communication and Language
Four Specific Areas:
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts and Design
At St. Mary's, we teach the EYFS through topics:
| Topics: | |
| Autumn Term |
Me and My World
|
| Spring Term | Once Upon a Time |
| Summer Term |
Come Outside
|
Within both Acorn and Chestnut, children are provided with both independent learning opportunities together with teacher-led activities.
Through both Acorn and Chestnut, we use Development Matters to guide us in the curriculum content we deliver to children.
Please find our EYFS Subject Progression Maps below, split into the 7 EYFS areas:
Personal, Social and Emotional Development Progression Map
Physical Development Progression Map
Communication and Language Progression Map
Understanding the World Progression Map
Expressive Arts and Design Progression Map
At the start of Reception, during the first six weeks, children complete the Reception Baseline Assessment with their teachers. Please see the Information for Parents Booklet below for more information:
Information for Parents: Reception Baseline Assessment
Throughout their time in Early Years (Acorn Nursery and Chestnut Reception), we use the Birth to 5 Matters document to assess the children:
At the end of Reception, children are teacher assessed against the Early Learning Goals:
The results of these assessments are shared with parents in our end of term reports.
We have also produced the following end of year goals, summarising what we expect children to achieve at the end of each stage of our Early Years:
End of Chestnut Reception Goals
For more information, please see our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) policy by visiting the Policies page.
