Welcome To Finches Class
Our Class Teacher: Mrs Clark
Our Class TA: Mrs Fitzgerald
At St Mary’s we work hard to ensure the children make excellent progress through fun and engaging play-based learning. We want the children to have excellent experiences, in which they learn lifelong skills and gain an amazing, positive start to their education. 
We use the document ‘Development Matters’ to support our planning and we work towards achieving the EYFS Statutory Framework end of Reception goals.
The children are encouraged to use both the inside and outside learning environments, which are set up with continuous and enhanced provision. Continuous provision is the resources which are set up all the time in the environment and our enhanced provision is weekly resources or activities which are set up and link to our topics or termly curriculum overview (see below). All provision is carefully planned to ensure children’s skills are individually developed and learning opportunities are personalised to ensure every child makes excellent progress in their learning journey. Our environments are both supportive and challenging for our children. 
Alongside this the children are taught through adult-directed lessons or group activities. These include lessons such as RE, phonics, literacy, maths, PSHE, PE and more. Through these inputs we teach the children new skills which they can then apply independently through their play.
EYFS at St Mary’s
Our EYFS Rationale
As part of the Our Lady of the Magnificat Academy and here at St Mary’s we believe in giving our children the best possible start to their journey through Education.
Our EYFS class name is The Finches.
EYFS Intent:
Learning at St. Mary’s starts with the child; our curriculum changes and develops to reflect this.
We teach the children social skills, language and communication and physical skills which will underpin all their learning. Our curriculum supports the children to be lifelong learners with a positive attitude to learning, ensuring all children reach their God given potential. A St. Mary’s EYFS child will have the opportunity to reflect, serve, aspire, experience, thrive and shine.
We work in partnership with our families to support our children to grow as individuals and develop key skills such as independence, resilience and confidence.
We celebrate the unique qualities and interests of every child and nurture them to reach full potential to take their place in the world, promoting excitement, awe and wonder. Topics are used to expose children to a range of experiences, enhancing their time in school. Staff plan learning activities that are matched to the children’s individual development and to help further and deepen children’s knowledge of the world around them.
We use the inside and outside environment as a key feature of our curriculum. We offer stimulating resources and rich learning opportunities through play that support and challenge all children.
We prepare children to reach the Early Learning Goals at the end of the Foundation Stage and ensure children make good progress from their starting points, supporting our children through their transition into KS1 and their journey at St. Mary’s. Our vision is that children will leave St. Mary’s as happy, independent, aspirational and motivated learners.
EYFS Implementation:
The EYFS Curriculum covers 7 areas:
THe-EYFS-Prime-Areas-of-Learning.pdf
We have a clear focus on developing language and communication skills. Staff recognise the importance of language development. Staff model high quality communication skills and expanding children’s vocabulary is key.
Our curriculum fosters a love of books, something that some of our children may not have when they begin in EYFS, but we hope they have by the time they leave. Daily story time, Drawing Club, books throughout the provision, a class library and reading workshops are several ways we aim to do this through our curriculum. Our learning always includes key texts including modern literature, non-fiction and traditional tales.
We keep parents informed, meeting with parents and carers from before they begin their journey at St. Mary’s and throughout their child’s time in the EYFS. Staff are available in the morning and afternoon to talk to parents. Parents are welcome into the classroom and invited to take part in parent workshops, assemblies, parent consultations, and ad hoc meetings when necessary. Parents and carers are supported when meeting with external agencies if required and staff are always there to listen and support.
Our environments are calm and interesting, sparking curiosity, interest and wonder, as well as celebrating the achievements of the children. Classrooms are welcoming and reflect the needs and interests of the children. We take great pride in our environment and encourage the children to do the same.
EYFS Impact:
At St. Mary’s the impact of the EYFS Curriculum is that all children make good progress from their individual starting points. We measure and monitor the impact of our curriculum in different ways throughout the year. Baseline assessments are carefully analysed at the start of the year to ensure teachers can plan for children’s next steps carefully. Staff use observations which inform future planning and ensure that all children build on their current knowledge and skills at a good pace.
All children get the best possible start to their school life and develop the knowledge and skills to reach and exceed their potential.  They develop strong, positive attitudes where they become proud and respectful of themselves. Our children gain a thirst for learning and begin to become lifelong learners. They encounter a range of experiences that widen their own knowledge and skills. The children develop a range of positive relationships with adults and peers, remembering that we are learning and growing in the service of God.
We are really looking forward to learning about everything, playing with our friends, and being able to read by ourselves. Playing on the trim trail, riding the balance bikes. Singing and dancing. Playing with the playdough and painting. Walking into Evesham to visit the library and Post Office and going on a coach to visit the farm and a castle!Medium-Term-Planning-Autumn-1.pdf
Long-Term-Curriculum-Overview-Finches-Class-2024.pdf