In the Early Years at the Annunciation Infant School we believe that every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to fulfil their potential. Research shows that high quality early years education makes a life-long, positive difference to children and this is our mission at the Annunciation Infant School. All members of the Foundation Stage team share the same values and practices, placing high importance on creating a secure and caring environment for the children to be in, therefore enabling them to feel happy, safe, respected and confident to enjoy their learning. We recognise that all children are unique, celebrating and welcoming differences within our school community. We intend that our curriculum educates all children in knowledge, skills and understanding to be effective, resilient, curious, independent learners that believe in themselves and their abilities and prepares them for the next stage in their education. Our Mission statement ‘Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire’ is at the heart of everything we do.

At the Annunciation, we follow the Early Years Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. This is made up of four overriding principles which our early year’s education is based upon:

Unique Child – Every child is unique child who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.

Positive Relationships – Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships.

Enabling Environments – Children learn and develop well in enabling environments, in which their experiences respond to their individual needs and there is a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and carers.

Learning and Development – Children develop and learn in different ways.

The framework covers the education and care of all children in early year’s provision, including children with special educational needs and disabilities. The framework specifies the requirement for learning and development in the Early Years and provides prime and specific areas of learning we must cover in our curriculum.

 Prime Areas:

•          Personal, Social and Emotional Development

•          Physical Development

•          Communication and Language Development

Specific Areas:

•          Literacy

•          Mathematics

•          Understanding the World

•          Expressive Art and Design

All areas of the EYFS curriculum are followed and planned for to ensure there is a broad, balanced and progressive learning environment that meets the developmental needs of all our children. In addition, we recognise that children learn by playing and exploring, being active and through thinking creatively and critically. We ensure that we provide opportunities to support the Characteristics of Effective Learning.

We teach children by ensuring challenging, playful opportunities across both the prime and specific areas of learning. We recognise that all children develop and learn at different rates and so our EYFS curriculum is designed flexibly to meet the needs of all individuals. We plan an exciting thematic curriculum based on high quality texts to provide inspiration for learning, whilst providing the flexibility for children to follow their own interests, ideas and fascinations. Our themes are driven from child-centred topics based on providing our children with ‘enticing experiences’ which motivate them, and are deeply rooted in the love of stories and reading.  A range of educational visits (including our local community) bring ‘learning to life’.

We believe the relationships which the children develop in the Early Years, with each other and with our staff, are central to their happiness and will lay the best possible foundation for them to become independent lifelong learners. Planning is based on our observation of children’s needs, interests and stages of development across all areas of learning. We provide opportunities for all children to experience a rich language environment, to develop their skills in expressing themselves as well as to speak and listen in a range of situations. Our role is to stimulate and encourage their development and enjoyment of learning through a variety of different play based activities, with a balance between adult directed and child initiated experiences in secure indoor and outdoor situations.

We recognise that the environment plays a significant role in supporting children’s learning and development and so our indoor and outdoor spaces are designed to promote high levels of involvement and challenge. Well-planned, high-quality continuous provision provides for children with familiar and consistent areas and resources that are open ended and flexible, promoting all aspects of learning and development. At The Annunciation we are committed to partnerships with families to provide every possible opportunity for our children to become confident communicators, to be socially competent, to have high levels of well-being and to develop the necessary skills to flourish and reach their full potential.

The children at The Annunciation will grow to be confident, competent lifelong learners and good citizens. They will be able to appreciate and understand the world around them by experiencing and learning about different cultures, celebrations, music, dance, art and history. Our children will actively ask questions about the world around them and their learning experiences. Our children will experience a smooth transition between Nursery, Reception and beyond. Effective communication and collaboration ensure the children leave the EYFS with a solid foundation of learning of which to build upon.