Intent

At St. Sebastian’s, we recognise that the Early Years are the most pivotal stage in a child’s life, forming the foundations for learning, wellbeing, and future success. Our Early Years curriculum is thoughtfully designed to give all children the experiences and opportunities they need to develop positive dispositions, curiosity, and a love of learning. Guided by our Catholic faith, our mission and our school motto, “Only my best will do. Be kind to one another,” we aim to nurture each child as a unique and precious gift from God, supporting them to grow spiritually, socially, emotionally and academically.

Our curriculum is fully aligned with the EYFS statutory framework 2025, which sets the standards that all early years providers must meet to ensure children learn and develop well, are kept healthy and safe, and acquire the knowledge and skills they need to start school. In Nursery, provision is heavily weighted towards Personal, Social and Emotional Development, alongside communication and language, reflecting the EYFS emphasis on the prime areas of learning as essential foundations for later success. As children progress, these foundations are extended into all specific areas of learning, including literacy, mathematics, understanding the world, and expressive arts and design, ensuring children develop a well-rounded knowledge base.

We aim to foster excellent attitudes to learning by providing high-quality, timely adult interactions that capture children’s curiosity and extend learning in the moment. Children are encouraged to take an active role in their learning and to become independent, resilient learners. By following children’s interests wherever possible, we ensure that every experience is a meaningful learning opportunity.

Implementation

Our EYFS curriculum is ambitious, coherent and sequenced to ensure that children build cumulatively sufficient knowledge and skills to prepare for Key Stage 1. We have a sharp focus on language development, vocabulary acquisition and effective communication, recognising these as key drivers of learning across all areas. In Reception, we place a particular emphasis on early reading and phonics, using the Read Write Inc. programme to ensure children can read accurately and confidently by the end of the Foundation Stage.

Teaching is informed by a team-based, reflective planning approach, centred on children’s interests and needs. Staff are highly knowledgeable in their subject areas, skilled in using questioning to extend learning, and experts in delivering systematic phonics instruction. We also foster a love of books and reading, engaging parents through workshops, shared reading sessions and home learning guidance. Mathematics, understanding the world and expressive arts are integrated into the curriculum and reinforced across learning experiences, helping children make connections and consolidate knowledge.

We provide a safe, stimulating, inclusive learning environment that supports all children, including those learning English as an additional language. Outdoor spaces are designed to encourage physical development, active learning and risk-taking, aligned with EYFS guidance on health, wellbeing and safe exploration. Staff regularly assess learning in a purposeful way, ensuring that teaching is adapted to meet children’s evolving needs and to maximise progress.

Our curriculum also ensures that all children’s welfare needs are met. Staff reinforce messages about safety, hygiene, healthy lifestyles and respectful relationships. This ensures children develop a sense of responsibility for themselves and others, preparing them for life in school and beyond.

Impact

By the end of the Foundation Stage, children are confident, motivated and independent learners. Most read accurately and fluently, have a rich vocabulary and demonstrate strong communication skills, fully meeting EYFS expectations that children are ready to start school with the knowledge and skills they need. Children participate enthusiastically in learning, manage their feelings and behaviour effectively and understand the impact of their actions on others.

Through our faith-led, reflective and enriching curriculum, children flourish academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually. They develop a moral compass grounded in our Catholic values of kindness, respect and responsibility, while achieving the foundations for lifelong learning.

The Early Years at St. Sebastian’s give children the very best start to school, ensuring they leave Reception ready to embrace the next stage of their education with confidence, curiosity and resilience.

The EYFS Statutory Framework 2025: 

• sets the standards that all early years providers must meet to ensure children learn and develop well 
• ensures children are kept healthy and safe 
• ensures children have the knowledge and skills they need to start school 

In addition to the statutory EYFS Framework, our Early Years practice is informed by non-statutory guidance, including Development Matters and Birth to 5 Matters. These resources provide practical support to help EYFS practitioners plan rich, engaging and developmentally appropriate learning experiences. They ensure that children receive the right opportunities to develop skills, knowledge and confidence across all areas of learning, supporting a smooth and successful transition into school while nurturing each child’s individual strengths and interests.

Best start in life: a research review for early years

OfSTED - Strong foundations in the first years of school