At OLS we have an enthusiastic and dedicated Early Years team which is led by an experienced EY Leader who is an expert in her field.

Early Years Leader and Teacher - Mrs H Elliott

Having taught across a number of key stages for a number of years I feel that I am best placed to provide the perfect possible start for each child as I know exactly where they are headed on their educational journey and as a result, can provide the strongest of foundations. 

I firmly believe the Early Years ethos of Learning Through Play and as a result, ensure that all aspects of the learning environment within Our Lady Primary School provide an engaging and stimulating opportunity to play and learn. I love all things Early Years!

Early Years Teacher - Ms K Rodford

I am an experienced teacher with a passion for the Early Years.
I love my job, every day is different and fun! I love to read stories, sing songs and set up stimulating role play and learning experiences. As a team, we create a safe, happy and homely learning environment for our children which we adapt according to their needs and interests. We are also lucky to have a large and natural garden, I love getting outside to explore and learn!

 

 

Early Years Support Staff - Mrs S Dazzo and Miss A McKeown

At Our Lady School, we have a large inside and outside classroom where our Early Years pupils can learn and develop. Our safe and stimulating environment reflects the needs and interests of all the children in our setting. We want our children to feel happy, relaxed and comfortable in their classroom and so we strive to create an environment where our children feel they belong. We recognise the importance of the children having ownership of their learning environment and therefore we provide learning spaces and resources that reflect their interests and their needs.

We have recently invested heavily in our Early Years environment and continue to strive for the best and provide the best for our children. Our inside and outside learning classrooms have all been redesigned and resourced together with the Early Years team and the children. The classrooms are continuously enhanced and adapted in response to the individual children in the setting to ensure the children are stimulated and excited and they want to learn.

Our early years setting follows the curriculum as outlined in the 2021 statutory framework of the EYFS. 

There are seven areas of learning and development that shape activities and experiences (educational programmes) at the Our Lady school Early Years setting of which three are “prime areas,” and four “specific areas.

Your child will be learning skills, acquiring new knowledge and demonstrating their understanding through 7 areas of learning and development. The 3 Prime areas are:

• Communication & Language
• Personal, Social and emotional development
• Physical development

These prime areas are those essential for your child’s healthy development and future learning. As children grow, the prime areas will help them to develop skills in 4 specific areas. These are:

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the world
• Expressive arts and design

All children learn and develop in different ways and at a difference pace. Understanding how your child learns best is important in ensuring they progress to their maximum potential. The Early Years Framework sets out 3 characteristics of Effective learning.

• Playing and exploring
• Active learning
• Creating and thinking critically

The ways in which your child engages with other people and their environment – playing and exploring, active learning, and creating and thinking critically – underpin learning and development across all areas and support the child to remain an effective and motivated learner.

Child initiated learning is a very important part of the Early Years curriculum. It is a key way in which children learn. Through their play, in a secure environment, with effective adult support, children can:-

• Explore, develop and represent learning experiences which help them make sense of the world
• Discover new and exciting experiences
• Practise and build up ideas, concepts and skills
• Co-operate and collaborate with others
• Understand the need for rules
• Think creatively and imaginatively
• Communicate with others as they investigate and solve problems

Express fears or relive anxious experiences in a controlled and safe environment.

EYFS Learning Goals

Click here to view our Welcome to Reception Booklet