Early Years Foundation Stage

Early Years at Stanley Park Infants’ School

At Stanley Park Infants’ School, we believe that every child matters and is valued as a unique individual. We provide a highly nurturing, inclusive and stimulating environment where children feel safe, respected and inspired to learn through play, curiosity and exploration.

Intent

Our intent is to provide an ambitious, inclusive Early Years curriculum that gives every child the best possible start to their education. We prioritise strong foundations in communication and language, literacy and mathematics, alongside the development of children’s confidence, independence and resilience.

We are committed to ensuring that all children, regardless of starting point, thrive. High-quality relationships with the children are central to our approach, and we place great importance on strong, trusting partnerships with parents. Transition is carefully planned through Meet the Teacher sessions, stay-and-play opportunities, coffee mornings and home visits (for Reception children), enabling every child to feel secure and a valued part of our school community.

We have been learning about owls using stories. We use our imaginations through small world play.

Implementation

Our curriculum is implemented through a carefully planned, play-based and child-led approach, underpinned by a clear understanding of how young children learn. Skilled practitioners provide consistently high-quality interactions, modelling language, extending thinking and deepening understanding.

The environment — both indoor and outdoor — is rich, purposeful and enabling, promoting exploration, independence and sustained engagement. Learning is supported through a balance of adult-directed and child-initiated experiences, ensuring depth, progression and coherence across all seven areas of learning.

Ongoing, precise assessment ensures that teaching is responsive and sharply focused, enabling all children, including those with SEND and additional needs, to access a fully inclusive curriculum.

We learn about the natural world and how to care for plants.We are creative when we are learning about number.

Impact

Children at Stanley Park Infants’ School develop into confident, articulate and highly motivated learners who demonstrate curiosity, independence and a strong desire to learn.

All children make strong and sustained progress from their starting points. Children develop secure foundations in oracy, early reading and mathematics, alongside excellent personal, social and emotional development.

By the end of Nursery and Reception, children are exceptionally well prepared for the following year equipped with the knowledge, skills and positive attitudes needed to succeed, and with a deep sense that they are valued, included and capable.

We use phonics to help us to read and write. We use a variety of textures to bring our small world play to life!

Nursery Curriculum Progression Documents 

Nursery Communication and Language CurriculumNursery Personal, Social and Emotional Development CurriculumNursery Physical Development CurriculumNursery Literacy CurriculumNursery Maths CurriculumNursery Understanding the World CurriculumNursery Expressive Art and Design Curriculum

Reception Curriculum Progression Documents

Reception Communication and Language CurriculumReception Personal Social and Emotional Development CurriculumReception Physical Development CurriculumReception Literacy CurriculumReception Maths Curriulum Overview NCETMReception Understanding the World CurriculumReception Expressive Art and Design Curriculum

Tapestry

https://tapestry.info/features/ - What is Tapestry

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework

The EYFS Statutory Framework sets out the standards that all early years providers must meet to ensure children learn, develop and are kept safe. It outlines the learning and development requirements, assessment arrangements and safeguarding responsibilities that support every child to thrive during their early years.

EYFS statutory framework for group and school-based providers

EYFS Learning and Development Guidance

Key guidance documents that support children's learning, development and progress throughout the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Birth to 5 Matters 2026Development Matters - Non-statutory curriculum guidance for the early years foundation stage

Topic Organisers

Starfish (Nursery) Topic Organisers

Reception Topic Organisers