Click on the sections below to explore and learn more about the EYFS curriculum at St Bernadette’s.
As the Early Years Leader, I am delighted to welcome you and your family to our school community. At St Bernadette’s, we are guided by our mission statement: “Jesus is very important in our school. He is at the heart of everything we do.” This belief underpins every aspect of our Early Years provision, where we seek to ensure that each child feels valued, nurtured, and inspired to begin their school journey in a setting rooted in love, faith, and learning.
We warmly welcome every child with the spirit of Jesus’ words: “Let the little children come to me. Do not stop them!” Recognising the unique potential in every child, our Early Years team is dedicated to helping them discover and develop their individual gifts and talents. By fostering a nurturing and stimulating environment, we ensure that every child grows socially, academically, and spiritually, with Jesus at the centre of all we do.
Early Years education forms the foundation of lifelong learning. Our engaging and dynamic curriculum encourages curiosity, creativity, and a love for discovery, laying the groundwork for confident, independent learners. At St Bernadette’s, we are committed to providing a safe, joyful, and enriching environment where your child feels supported and cherished every step of the way.
We work closely with parents, carers, and our parish community to support each child’s growth and development. Our school is deeply connected to the wider Catholic community, and through shared prayer, celebrations, and events, we create opportunities for collaboration and partnership in your child’s education. We believe that by working together, we can ensure your child achieves their fullest potential while growing in faith and love.
We encourage open communication and active involvement in school life, knowing that a strong partnership between home and school is essential for success. Thank you for considering St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School for your child’s education. We look forward to welcoming you and embarking on this exciting journey of faith, love, and learning together!
Nursery:
Mrs Whelehan- Teacher
Mrs Ward- Teaching Assistant
Ms Gibson- Teaching Assistant
Reception:
Mrs O’Donnell- Buttercups Teacher
Mrs Morton- Daffodils Teacher
Mrs Barnes- Teaching Assistant
Miss Lennon- Teaching Assistant
Miss Tran- Teaching Assistant
Miss Woodruff- Teaching Assistant
Nursery Autumn 1 Newsletter
Reception Autumn 1 Newsletter
Nursery Spring 1 Newsletter
Reception Spring 1 Newsletter
General Early Years Resources
- BBC Tiny Happy People
- Offers a wide range of activities and tips to support language development.
- Hungry Little Minds
- Provides ideas and activities to help parents support their child’s learning and development.
- National Literacy Trust
- Offers resources and advice to support children’s literacy development from birth to age 11.
Parenting and Family Support
- Family Lives
- Provides parenting advice, support forums, and helplines for parents and caregivers.
- Action for Children
- Offers practical advice and support for parents on a range of topics, including early childhood development.
- NHS Start4Life
- Offers health advice and tips for pregnancy, birth, and early years.
Educational Activities and Games
- PhonicsPlay
- Provides phonics games and resources to support children in learning to read.
- Topmarks
- Offers a variety of educational games and resources covering maths, literacy, and more.
- Twinkl
- Provides a vast array of printable resources and activities for early years education.
Online Storybooks and Reading
- Oxford Owl
- Offers free eBooks and reading activities for children, as well as advice for parents on supporting reading at home.
- BookTrust
- Provides book recommendations, reading tips, and activities to encourage a love of reading.
Wellbeing and Mental Health
- Young Minds
- Offers advice and resources to support children’s mental health and wellbeing.
- MindEd for Families
- Provides information and advice to support parents and caregivers in promoting children’s mental health.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
- Contact
- Provides support and advice for families with children who have special educational needs or disabilities.
- The Sensory Projects
- Offers resources and ideas for sensory play and learning, particularly for children with SEND.
Creative Play and Activities
- The Imagination Tree
- Features creative play ideas and activities to encourage imaginative play and development.
- Learning4Kids
- Provides a range of fun and educational activities to support early childhood learning.
Our Class Saint is St Francis of Assisi.
Our Class author is Julia Donaldson.
Click the link below to download our EYFS Curriculum Workshop slides.
Click on the link below to find some useful information about our school phonics programme – “Supersonic Phonic Friends.”
At St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School, we adhere to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework and incorporate the principles of Development Matters. These guidelines ensure our youngest learners receive a high-quality, play-based education that fosters their development and prepares them for future learning.
Click on the Following Links for More Information
Assessment in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
National Framework
In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), assessment is a critical component to ensure that children receive the best possible start to their education. Nationally, the assessment framework for EYFS is designed to support children’s development and learning by providing a clear structure for measuring progress and identifying areas where additional support may be needed.
The EYFS Profile
The primary national assessment tool for children in the EYFS is the EYFS Profile. The EYFS Profile is completed in the final term of the year in which the child turns five, typically at the end of the Reception year. This assessment summarises and describes children’s attainment at the end of the EYFS.
Areas of Learning
The EYFS Profile assesses children’s achievements in the following areas:
- Communication and Language
- Listening and Attention
- Understanding
- Speaking
- Physical Development
- Moving and Handling
- Health and Self-Care
- Personal, Social, and Emotional Development
- Self-Confidence and Self-Awareness
- Managing Feelings and Behaviour
- Making Relationships
- Literacy
- Reading
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Numbers
- Shape, Space, and Measures
- Understanding the World
- People and Communities
- The World
- Technology
- Expressive Arts and Design
- Exploring and Using Media and Materials
- Being Imaginative
Early Learning Goals (ELGs)
For each area of learning, there are specific Early Learning Goals (ELGs) which set out the expected level of development that most children should reach by the end of the EYFS. Teachers assess each child against these goals, determining whether they are:
- Emerging: not yet reaching the expected level.
- Expected: meeting the expected level.
- Exceeding: surpassing the expected level.
The Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA)
Starting in the academic year 2021/2022, the Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA) was introduced as a statutory assessment for all children in Reception. This assessment takes place within the first six weeks of children starting school and serves as a baseline to measure the progress children make from the start of Reception to the end of Key Stage 2.
Key Features of the RBA
- Focus Areas: The RBA focuses on early literacy, communication, and mathematics skills.
- Format: It is a short, interactive assessment carried out one-on-one with a teacher or practitioner.
- Purpose: The RBA is not intended to provide a comprehensive picture of a child’s abilities but to establish a starting point for measuring progress throughout primary school.
- Non-Obtrusive: Designed to be a low-pressure assessment, it fits seamlessly into the child’s normal school day.
The results of the RBA are used to create a baseline measure for each child, which will help track their progress across their primary education journey. These results are not shared with parents or used to label or track individual children within the school.
Observational Assessment
A key aspect of EYFS assessment is observational assessment. Our staff observe children as they act and interact in their play, everyday activities, and planned activities, and they use these observations to understand each child’s development and learning needs. Observational assessment is continuous and forms the basis of the formative assessment process.
Formative Assessment
Formative assessment is integral to the EYFS. It involves practitioners using their observations to inform planning and to create a responsive learning environment. This ongoing process helps to tailor the learning experiences to meet the individual needs of each child, supporting their development in all areas of learning.
Summative Assessment
In addition to the formative assessments, the EYFS Profile provides a summative assessment at the end of the Reception year. This summative assessment provides parents, practitioners, and teachers with a well-rounded picture of a child’s knowledge, understanding, and abilities as they prepare to transition into Key Stage 1 (KS1).
Reporting to Parents
Parents are provided with a written summary of their child’s attainment against the ELGs, along with commentary on the characteristics of effective learning. This report helps parents understand how their child is progressing and provides them with insights into how they can support their child’s learning at home.
Implementation in Our School
At St. Ethelbert’s, we are committed to implementing the EYFS assessment framework effectively to support every child’s learning journey. Our approach includes:
- Ongoing Observations: We conduct ongoing observations to capture children’s achievements and inform our planning.
- Parental Involvement: We actively involve parents in the assessment process through regular Focus Child meetings
- Professional Development: Our staff engage in continuous professional development to ensure they are skilled in conducting accurate and meaningful assessments.
- Inclusive Practices: We tailor our assessment practices to ensure they are inclusive and cater to the diverse needs of all our children.
By adhering to the national EYFS assessment framework, including the RBA, and implementing best practices within our school, we strive to provide a supportive and enriching learning environment that promotes the holistic development of every child.
