The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum Intent 

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) covers the period of learning for children in Nursery and Reception.  It is our intent that the curriculum is ambitious and designed to give all learners the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life. We do this by presenting our curriculum in a rich, stable, caring, and effective environment that enables each child to reach their full potential.  

At Chater Infant School we adhere to the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. This has four overarching principles. These are: 

• Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships; 

• Children learn and develop well in enabling environments with teaching and support from adults, who respond to their individual interests and needs and help them to build their learning over time. Children benefit from a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and/or carers. 
• Importance of learning and development. Children develop and learn at different rates. The framework covers the education and care of all children in early years provision, including children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). 

EYFS Topic Table 

Topic-led Approach 

At Chater Infant School the EYFS curriculum has been designed to ensure that every child meets their learning potential.   As a culturally rich and diverse school, with over 40 languages spoken and a majority of children speaking English as an additional language, we believe that our children will learn best through a topic-led approach.   The EYFS topics have been carefully chosen to ensure that there is progression between Nursery and Reception as well as the progression of learning throughout the year. Through our topics, we ensure that there is challenge, purposeful learning and an opportunity for the children to learn through real-life experiences. The topics are motivating and inspiring to ensure that pupils are actively engaged with their learning. The topics over the course of the academic year may change according to the children’s interests and fascinations. 

In the EYFS there are seven areas of the curriculum. These are split into two groups; Prime Areas and Specific Areas. All of the seven areas of learning and development are important and inter-connected. 

Prime Areas- Communication and Language, Physical Development and Personal, Social and Emotional Development 

These three areas are particularly crucial for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive. 

Specific Areas- Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World and Expressive Arts and Design 

Children are supported through the four specific areas, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied.