Early Years Foundation Stage

Welcome to the Early Years Foundation Stage at St. Luke's Primary School

Early Years Foundation Stage – Statement of Intent

At St.Luke's, our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provision is designed to ensure that every child feels safe, welcomed, and valued from the very beginning of their school journey. We believe that children learn best when they are happy, secure, and motivated, and we are committed to providing a nurturing and stimulating environment where all children can thrive and reach their full potential.

Our intent is for all children in Reception to:

• Feel welcomed and safe, developing a strong sense of belonging within our school community.

• Be happy and confident learners, eager to explore and succeed.

• Be kind and caring, showing respect and empathy towards others.

• Develop independence, resilience, and communication skills, laying the foundations for lifelong learning.

Our curriculum is carefully designed and implemented in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and informed by the Development Matters guidance. It is progressive, responsive, and bespoke, shaped around the interests, experiences, and developmental needs of our children. We recognise that every child is unique, and our approach ensures that all children have equitable opportunities to achieve and succeed.

Learning is planned for both indoor and outdoor environments, with equal importance placed on both areas. Through a rich variety of purposeful play and adult-guided experiences, we ensure that all activities support the Characteristics of Effective Learning:

• Playing and Exploring – children will have opportunities to investigate and experience new things, and are encouraged to ‘have a go’.

• Active Learning – children will learn to show focus and persistence, demonstrating resilience when faced with challenges and taking pride in their achievements.

• Creating and Thinking Critically – children are encouraged to develop their own ideas, make connections, and explore strategies for problem-solving.

Before children begin school, we take time to build positive relationships with them and their families. This helps us to understand each child as an individual, supporting a smooth transition into school and a strong sense of security from the very beginning. 

Throughout Reception, we maintain a clear focus on child development as the foundation for all learning. Through high-quality interactions, observation, and assessment, we ensure that our curriculum meets the needs of every child, enabling them to make sustained progress and to be well-prepared for the next step of their education.

Implementation of the EYFS at St. Luke’s

At St. Luke’s, our Reception provision is carefully designed to bring our intent to life, ensuring that every child has the support, opportunities, and environment they need to thrive. We recognise that high-quality teaching, responsive learning, and an inspiring environment are all essential to help children develop as happy, confident, and curious learners.

Our Staff

Our team is passionate and dedicated to supporting every child’s learning and development. They are experts in understanding where children need to be by the end of the Foundation Stage, and they carefully plan experiences that help each child progress towards these milestones.

• Staff are available both physically and emotionally, always ready to listen, support, and engage with the children.

• Our team is skilled in questioning and prompting, knowing when to observe and when to join in play as supportive play partners rather than interrupting children’s natural exploration.

• Staff extend learning opportunities at every moment, making sure that children are constantly building new skills, exploring ideas, and deepening their understanding.

Our Environment

We understand that the learning environment is a key part of development. Our classrooms and outdoor spaces are thoughtfully designed to encourage communication, creativity, and independence.

• Spaces are communication-friendly, with areas to sit opposite each other for conversations, natural daylight, and cosy areas for reflection and rest.

• Provision is frequently adapted to respond to the needs and interests of our children, while keeping in mind the progression of skills they should achieve throughout the early years.

• Resources are rotated and enhanced regularly to ensure they are age- and stage-appropriate, providing engaging opportunities for all children at every level of development.

Through the dedication of our staff and the richness of our learning environment, we ensure that the intentions outlined in our EYFS Statement of Intent are brought to life every day. Children at St. Luke’s are supported to feel safe, happy, and challenged, so they can develop independence, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning.