Early Years (Ages 3-5)
The Early Years Foundation Stage at St Julian’s is where our students begin developing the ability to become independent and capable learners for life. Environments and opportunities are provided that enable children to gain the fundamental skills and attitudes required to help them become lifelong learners, focusing on not just what they need to learn but how they learn it.
‘Learning to shape a brighter future’ starts in our Foundation Stage years, Nursery and Reception. It is here where our pupils begin to learn to be compassionate by being encouraged to think about others. It’s in Foundation where they start working collaboratively and learn how to communicate their ideas. Where their curiosity is sparked through play, and they are encouraged to take risks and have a go. Finally, it’s where they start learning to realise that everyone is different and that they have to respect each other.
We believe children must first feel safe and happy in a stimulating learning environment. Our staff work hard to establish positive relationships with the children and their families, which is the first step for children to feel secure. Routines are quickly established, and the children are encouraged to be independent and explore the rich setting St. Julian’s School offers. As well as the well-resourced indoor spaces, the school grounds provide various environments for our children to investigate: mud area, water, sand, forest, fields, and the beach is a short distance from the campus.
The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum is adapted to suit our needs and is designed to be flexible so that the children are encouraged to follow their interests. The curriculum is made up of 7 different areas: Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Physical Development, Communication and Language, Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding of the World, Expressive Art and Design. Part of the EYFS curriculum is known as the Characteristics of Effective Learning, which focus on how your child is learning to learn rather than what she/he is learning.
Play is fundamental to learning in our early years. Play provides a foundation for emotional, social, cognitive and physical development and is essential for children’s development. Through play, children are motivated to explore, to start to make meaning of the world around them and understand the effect of their choices. Play promotes language development as the children start to express their thoughts, ideas and feelings. Once children begin to play collaboratively, they need to have the language to negotiate their play and develop play narratives. Through play, children learn to relate to others, set their own goals and learn to solve problems.
An enabling, happy, safe environment combined with positive relationships with staff and parents allows every child to learn and develop in their own unique way.
