Open Menu EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION STAGE Home » Our School » Early Years Foundation Stage Nursery and Reception classes form the Early Years Foundation Stage, which provide the building blocks for Key Stages 1 and 2. Our Early Years Phase Leader is Mrs Van As. We follow the curriculum guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage. This is broken down into seven areas of learning which are: Personal, Social and Emotional Development Communication and Language Physical Development Literacy Mathematics Understanding the World Expressive Arts and Design The children are provided with a wide variety of activities and resources where they are able to make important discoveries about themselves and the world they live in. Our children are privileged to learn and explore within a modern, purpose built building. Their classrooms have access to a spacious secure outdoor area and a covered area to allow activities to continue in inclement weather. The children learn through a combination of planned activities, play and first-hand, day to day experiences. They investigate things around them, using all their senses. We focus upon the Prime Areas of Learning which helps the child to be secure in their environment, to take risks and to become confident, independent learners. Daily Early Literacy and Mathematics activities, for example, early phonic work begins in Nursery and develops in Reception where it becomes structured, leading to word building and word recognition. Our children learn with enjoyment and challenge through play. With this in mind, the children make a smooth transition from the Foundation Stage into Year 1. OUR SCHOOL Headteacher’s Welcome Mission Statement Mission Statement for Children Safeguarding Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Early Years Foundation Stage Thrive Key Stage 1 Key Stage 2 School Council School Governors Staff Precis of Emergency Plans Staff Information Governor’s Information Saint Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School, Commonside East, Mitcham, Surrey, CR4 1YG | Tel. 0208 648 0869 St Thomas of Canterbury School © 2021 Website design by Carr Kamasa Design