Early Years Foundation Stage

Welcome to our EYFS page

For children and parents joining our St Malachy’s family, we have created this page to offer a warm welcome and introduce you to our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Here, you can find out more about what early years looks like in our school. To see what the children have been learning and enjoying, please visit our Nursery and Reception pages. Parents and carers who wish to apply for a place for their child at St Malachy's are welcomed to make an appointment to visit the school for a look around.

Curriculum

Our Early Years curriculum reflects the educational programmes set out in the EYFS statutory framework and is rooted in our Catholic faith. We believe Religious Education is a life-long journey, and children not only learn about religion but also learn from it, developing spiritually, morally, and culturally.

Areas of Learning and Development

The EYFS framework includes seven areas of learning, which are interconnected and promote holistic development.

The three Prime areas of learning are:

The four Specific areas of learning are:

At our school, children experience all seven areas of learning through a balanced approach. This includes child-led play, adult-led activities, and supportive interactions with adults that help extend thinking and deepen understanding.

Our Offer

Getting your child ready for Nursery or Reception

Teach your child how to

Practical skills

• dress themselves, including putting on/taking off their shoes and coat

• use the toilet and wash their hands

• hold a crayon or pencil and draw on paper

• listen to and follow simple instructions.

Routines

• goes to bed at a regular time and gets 10 to 13 hours of sleep

• brushes their teeth twice a day

• uses a knife an fork and can drink from a cup

• eats a healthy diet and tries new foods.

Playing and sharing with others

• play (it’s fun!) and learn to share their books and toys

• understand and talk about important feelings – like feeling happy or sad

• walk up and down stairs,

• climb, run and jump.

Talking, help them find their voice by

• Talking with your child is one of the most important things you can do

• chatting with them lots while playing

• talking while you look at picture books

• limiting screen use on mobiles and laptops

• singing nursery rhymes with them

• praying together

• making sure they recognise their name written down and said aloud.

If you have any concerns about you child being school ready please come and talk to a member of staff. We are always happy to help.

Working with parents and careers

We value the important role parents and carers play in their child’s development and aim to build strong, respectful partnerships. Each child is supported through a key person system to ensure continuity of care and tailored support. We work closely with families through home visits, stay-and-play sessions, daily conversations, reading diaries, and home learning links, as well as formal meetings and termly feedback. We also offer workshops, opportunities to volunteer, and support for SEND and vulnerable families, alongside Catholic community events that help strengthen our school community.

There are local places you can go and experts that can help you make sure your child is school ready - all for free:

• Visit your local Family Hub

• Or your nearest children’s centre

• And your nearest library