The Early Years Foundation Stage at Holy Trinity
At Holy Trinity, we believe that the early years are the most important years as they are where children build the foundations for learning. This includes developing their social skills, building a love of learning and the confidence and skills needed for successful learning and interactions.
At Holy Trinity, we have the following early years classes:
- Baby Room – for 6 months – 2 year olds
- Two Year Old Nursery – for 2-3 year olds
- Nursery – for 3-4 year olds
- Reception – for 4-5 year olds
Our Curriculum
Our Early Years curriculum is built around the Early Years Foundation Stage seven areas of learning:
Prime Areas (fundamental skills that underpin everything)
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development – building confidence, resilience and positive relationships
- Communication and Language – developing vocabulary, listening skills and the ability to express ideas
- Physical Development – developing movement, coordination and healthy habits
Specific Areas (essential knowledge and skills)
- Literacy – developing a love of stories, books and early reading and writing
- Mathematics – exploring numbers, patterns, shapes and mathematical concepts through Mastering Number
- Understanding the World – discovering people, places, cultures and the natural world
- Expressive Arts and Design – creating, imagining and expressing ideas through art, music, dance and role-play
Have a look at our Nursery and Reception Curriculum Outline to see what themes and books we cover throughout the year.
In their classrooms and outdoor areas, children learn through purposeful play, investigation and exploration. Engaging and relevant themes and high-quality books capture pupils’ imagination and build their understanding of the world. From exploring autumn with The Leaf Man, to discovering animals through What the Ladybird Heard, to celebrating diversity with Handa’s Surprise and Elmer, every theme is carefully planned to spark curiosity and build knowledge. Stories are at the heart of our provision. Every theme is built around carefully chosen books which inspire, challenge and delight. Children develop a love of reading through daily story times, role-play, retelling stories and exploring books independently.
In maths, we use the Mastering Number approach to ensure children develop deep understanding of numbers and mathematical concepts. Through hands-on activities, games and exploration, children build strong foundations in maths which will support them throughout their school journey.
Our curriculum celebrates the rich diversity of our community and the wider world. Children learn about different cultures, festivals and traditions including Black History, Diwali, Hanukkah, Chinese New Year, Holi, Eid and Easter. Every child sees themselves reflected in our curriculum and learns to value and respect others.
During their time in early years at Holy Trinity, children learn to:
- Choose and explore, following their interests and developing independence;
- Build their confidence and resilience;
- Build strong friendships and learn to work with others;
- Develop communication skills, ask questions and use a rich vocabulary;
- Learn to read and write;
- Explore numbers, shapes, patterns and mathematical concepts;
- Discover the world around them through science, geography and history;
- Create, imagine and express themselves through art, music, dance and role-play;
- Develop physical skills through active play and movement;
- Learn about different cultures, festivals and ways of life;
- Most importantly – develop a love of learning that will stay with them forever.
We would love to welcome you and your child to Holy Trinity. Come and see our Early Years in action – book a tour, meet our team, and discover why parents choose Holy Trinity for their child’s early years.
