At Cotgrave Church of England Primary School we are inspired by the teachings of Jesus and the Bible, particularly the verse from John 10:10, "Life in all its fullness."

Our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum reflects this, ensuring that every child’s learning journey is underpinned by our Christian values. 

Our Intent is to: 

• Nurture a love for learning: We aim to ignite curiosity and a passion for lifelong learning by providing a rich, varied, and engaging curriculum, which allows children to explore, discover, and develop their skills in a safe and nurturing environment. 

• Promote inclusion and belonging: Every child is unique and valued. We are committed to creating a culture where all children feel welcomed and supported, regardless of their background or abilities. The EYFS is an environment where children thrive in the spirit of inclusion and respect, building strong relationships within our school community. 

• Support holistic development: We aim to support each child’s physical, emotional, social, and spiritual growth. Through our teaching, we encourage the development of resilience, empathy, and a strong sense of self, enabling children to flourish both academically and personally. 

• Incorporate Christian values into learning: As a church school, we weave Christian values, such as love, kindness, respect, and forgiveness, into all aspects of school life. These values provide a foundation for children to develop their character and engage in positive relationships with others. 

• Celebrate diversity and community: We believe in the importance of community and foster a sense of belonging. The wider school community plays an integral role in supporting the children's learning, development, and well-being. 

 

EYFS Implementation 

To achieve our intent, we carefully design our curriculum and provision to ensure that it meets the needs of every child, enabling them to live life to the full. 

Our approach includes: 

• A Child-Centered Curriculum: Our EYFS curriculum is based on the Development Matters framework, adapted to the unique context of our school. We ensure that the learning environment is stimulating, hands-on, and responsive to the interests of the children, allowing them to explore, investigate, and express their ideas freely. 

• Cross-Curricular Opportunities: We integrate our Christian ethos into all areas of the curriculum, with particular focus on developing emotional and social skills, fostering empathy and encouraging positive relationships. Bible stories, prayer, and reflection are incorporated into daily routines and activities, helping children understand our schools values. 

• Focus on Relationships and Well-Being: We place great importance on building positive relationships with the children, ensuring that they feel valued and safe. We support children in developing self-regulation, resilience, and confidence, using Christian principles to guide their moral development. 

• Enabling Environments: Our learning spaces are designed to be accessible and flexible, offering a balance of adult-led activities and opportunities for child-initiated learning. The environment is inclusive, providing a range of resources that reflect the diverse needs and interests of the children. 

• Parental and Community Involvement: We recognise the importance of a strong partnership between school, home and the wider community. We actively encourage parents to be involved in their child’s learning, through events, parent workshops and shared activities. We also invite local community members to participate in our school life, fostering a sense of connection and support. 

EYFS Impact 

We measure the impact of our EYFS curriculum through the progress and development of each child. Our school aims to ensure that all children leave EYFS with a strong foundation in their academic, social, emotional, and spiritual development. 

The impact of our curriculum can be seen in: 

• Happy, confident learners: Children who feel safe, valued and ready to take on new challenges. They demonstrate curiosity, resilience, and a sense of wonder in their learning. 

• Development of key skills: Children make good progress across all areas of learning, including communication and language, personal, social, and emotional development, physical development, literacy, and mathematics. We aim for each child to meet or exceed expected standards by the end of Reception. 

• Strong Christian character: Children develop an understanding of Christian values such as love, kindness and forgiveness, which guide their behaviour and interactions with others. They show empathy, compassion, and respect, both within school and in the wider community. 

• Positive attitudes towards inclusion and diversity: Our children show an understanding of the value of each person, demonstrating inclusive behaviour and celebrating the differences that make each individual unique. 

• Prepared for the next stage of learning: By the time children leave EYFS, they are confident, independent and curious learners, with a strong foundation for future academic success and a deep sense of belonging to the school community.