At St Stephen’s, our Early Years provision nurtures confident, curious, and independent learners within a caring and inclusive community. Rooted in our whole-school vision of belonging and respect, we ensure every child feels safe, valued, and inspired to learn. We recognise that early childhood is a crucial time for building strong foundations, and we prioritise meaningful relationships, rich language, purposeful play, and high-quality physical development. Our aim is to foster a lifelong love of learning by supporting each child to thrive socially, emotionally, physically, and academically from their very first experiences of school.

Our EYFS curriculum is designed to provide every child with the best possible start to their education, regardless of background or need. We focus on developing communication, language, personal, social and emotional skills, and physical development because these are the building blocks for all future learning. Through a balance of adult-guided teaching and child-initiated play, we ensure children gain the knowledge and skills they need while remaining motivated and engaged. We carefully consider the needs of our community and provide inclusive support, particularly for children with SEND, so that all learners can access and succeed in the curriculum. By embedding high expectations and a strong sense of belonging, we reflect St Stephen’s commitment to nurturing respectful, resilient individuals who are ready for the next stage of their education.

Children develop strong foundations in early reading, writing, and mathematics alongside communication, physical, and social skills. We prioritise vocabulary development, storytelling, early phonics, and number sense, ensuring children can express themselves clearly and think critically. Learning is carefully sequenced so that new knowledge builds on what children already know.
Our curriculum is guided by the EYFS framework and enriched through high-quality texts, purposeful play, and meaningful experiences. Areas of learning are interconnected, allowing children to revisit and deepen their understanding over time. Adults skilfully support learning through questioning, modelling, and observation.
Learning is designed to be holistic, with strong links across all areas. For example, stories inspire writing and role play, mathematical thinking is embedded in everyday routines, and understanding of the world is developed through exploration and discussion. Physical development is supported through both indoor and outdoor provision, helping children to build strength, coordination, control, and independence in ways that are meaningful and enjoyable.

Children leave EYFS as confident, capable learners who are well-prepared for Key Stage 1. They demonstrate strong communication skills, independence, physical confidence, and a positive attitude to learning. Outcomes show good progress from starting points, with children achieving well across all areas of the curriculum. Importantly, children develop a sense of belonging and respect for others, reflecting the values of St Stephen’s. They are curious, resilient, and eager to learn more. Our inclusive approach ensures that all children, including those with SEND, make meaningful progress and feel successful in their early school experiences.