Children in our Nursery and Reception classes follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework. At St Joseph’s our planning and teaching within the EYFS incorporates the children’s interests and individual needs. Learning takes place in both the indoor and outdoor environments and the children take part in a range of adult-led and child-led activities. The children are encouraged to take part in first-hand experiences, play, explore, experiment, think critically, and solve problems. We celebrate each child as a unique individual and work in partnership with parents to ensure the best outcomes for all of the children.

 The EYFS framework has three prime areas:

• Communication and Language
• Physical Development
• Personal, Social and Emotional development

There are four specific areas, through which the prime areas are strengthened and applied. The specific areas are:

• Literacy.
• Mathematics
• Understanding the World
• Expressive Arts and Design

Characteristics of Effective Learning

The characteristics of effective learning run through and underpin all seven areas of learning and development, representing processes rather than outcomes. The Characteristics of effective learning are:

• Playing and exploring – engagement
• Active learning- motivation
• Creating and thinking critically- thinking