Welcome to the wonderful, and slightly Danish world, of EYFS at Marlborough St Mary's!

Vision:

Our vision for Marlborough St Mary's is to be an inclusive, joyful, and thriving school at the heart of our community. Together, our families and staff guide our children to become confident, independent learners who care for themselves, each other, and the environment. Let's embrace brilliance, courage, and kindness, believing, learning, and achieving together.

Key Focus Areas:

Talk (Communication and Language): Developing strong communication skills and fostering positive relationships.
  
Read (Vocabulary and Phonics): Cultivating a love for reading and building strong language foundations.
  
Pride (Self-Regulation and Self-Worth): Nurturing self-esteem, self-regulation, and a sense of accomplishment.
  
Marlborough (Sense of Community and Belonging): Fostering a strong sense of community and belonging within Marlborough.

Curriculum Intent:

At Marlborough St Mary's, we offer an engaging, active, and inclusive curriculum. We enrich learning through practical, cross-curricular activities, building curiosity and resilience. Our caring and inclusive environment, grounded in Christian values, fosters creativity, imagination, and a love for learning, preparing children to become lifelong learners. Our curriculum is challenging, sequential, and aspirational, linking knowledge and skills to real-life experiences, shaping community members and global citizens.

Subject Intent:

In Early Years at Marlborough St Mary's, we recognize the significance of these foundational years. We strive to establish strong learning foundations rooted in love and kindness. Our approach involves reflecting on individual interests and adapting the curriculum to evolving family needs. We aim to facilitate opportunities where children can take risks, regulate emotions, build relationships, and develop healthy attitudes. Our goal is to enable every child to shine bright, surpassing expectations and aspiring to flourish.

Curriculum Implementation:

Our teaching aligns with the guiding principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the Characteristics of Effective Learning (CoEL). We believe in each child's uniqueness and potential for learning and development in varied ways. We prioritize creating an enabling environment and value children's diverse learning styles. Our amazing Early Years is inspired by the Danish concept of 'Hygge' (pronounced Hooga!) and this approach encourages our children to make deep connections with the natural world, the seasons and their community.

We know that as children gain confidence in their abilities, they become more willing to explore and engage with the world around them. This exploration, in turn, fosters self-regulation - the ability to manage emotions, behaviours, and impulses. We know that when children can regulate themselves, they are better equipped to engage in meaningful interactions and conversations with peers and adults.  

For these reasons, we strike a delicate balance between structured routines and periods of self-directed, independent activities. We firmly believe that play stands as a pivotal vehicle for children's learning. By keenly observing their engagement in these activities, we uncover valuable teaching moments and opportunities for growth.  

Characteristics of Effective Learning:

Playing and Exploring: Encouraging children to investigate and experience, fostering curiosity and engagement.
  
Active Learning: Cultivating concentration, resilience, and enjoyment in facing challenges and celebrating achievements.
  
Creating and Thinking Critically: Developing ideas, making connections, and strategizing for tasks.

Our curriculum revolves around unleashing each child's potential in a nurturing environment that promotes well-being and care. We draw inspiration from nature and the changing seasons to tailor our curriculum, partnering with families to provide relevant and meaningful experiences. Play is central to our approach, allowing for teachable moments and fostering a love for learning.

Impact:

Communication is vital to understanding each child's learning stage. We establish early links with pre-schools and families, making informed plans to support children. Daily observations and interactions with children, parents, and staff inform our short-term and long-term plans, ensuring no child is left behind. Our curriculum and environment are inclusive, supporting all children's progress and independence as they transition to Key Stage 1, well-prepared for their learning journey ahead.