Here at Holy Rosary Catholic Primary Academy, we believe that it is our responsibility to serve our children and provide them with the best possible start in their educational journey.
We feel that learning in Early Years should be child-centred and based on the needs, experiences and interests of the children in our care. Young children should be given time to grow in a safe and structured environment that allows them to develop at their own pace, in an atmosphere that offers nurture and security. Our school provides opportunities for children to take risks in their learning and have a go, to investigate, to question and to develop a sense of interest and curiosity. In the Early Years, play is the most important aspect through which children learn and develop key skills.
āChildren learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn.ā ~ O. Fred Donaldson (renowned specialist on the subject of play)
Our Early Years Curriculum
At Holy Rosary Catholic Primary Academy, we aim to provide a stimulating, enriched broad and balanced curriculum that allows every child to reach his or her full potential socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually. Our curriculum in the Early Years is shaped to ensure every child is stimulated and challenged with a variety of fun, engaging experiences.
We believe that each child is an individual with individual needs and that all of their achievements should be valued and shared. We work hard to ensure that learning is a rewarding and enjoyable experience in which children can explore, investigate, discover, create, practise, rehearse, repeat, revise and consolidate their developing knowledge, skills and understanding.
Our Early Years teachers plan using the EYFS statutory framework as their basis. This framework sets the standards that schools must meet to promote a safe and healthy environment where children can learn and develop, promoting a āschool readinessā that provides the right foundation for good future progress through school and life.
The curriculum lays out the standards for Learning, Development and Care for children from birth to five. As stated in the Framework: āEvery child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to fulfil their potential. Children develop quickly in the early years and a childās experiences between birth and age five have a major impact on their future life chances. A secure, safe and happy childhood is important in its own right.ā
Characteristics of Effective Learning
We adhere to the Statutory Framework of the EYFS and the characteristic principles that shape practice within Early Years settings:
- playing and exploring ā children investigate and experience things, and āhave a goā;
- active learning ā children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties, and enjoy achievements; and
- creating and thinking critically ā children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things.
To learn well, children must approach opportunities with curiosity, energy and enthusiasm. Effective learning must be meaningful to a child, so that they are able to use what they have learned and apply it in new situations. These abilities and attitudes of strong learners will support them to learn well and make good progress in all the areas of learning and development.
Areas of Learning
The curriculum focuses on 7 Areas of Learning within the Foundation Stage. Each of these have Early Learning Goals to be achieved by the end of the Reception year. Playing and exploring underpin the delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The children are encouraged to take part in a wide range of activities which are either child initiated or adult led.
These consist of three Prime Areas, which underpin the whole of the EYFS curriculum:
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Communication and Language
- Physical Development
The other four areas of learning are known as the Specific Areas:
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts and Design
At Holy Rosary, we believe passionately that learning should be suitably challenging, creative and fun! So, all elements of our broad curriculum (academic, non-academic, religious, extra-curricular and pastoral development) are regularly reviewed to check that topics and themes are as exciting and as well matched to learnerās interests as we can make them, whilst ensuring that all children make good progress in all areas of learning.
Further information regarding our curriculum in Early Years is available on request from the school office.
“Children are the world’s most valuable resource and its best hope for the future.” – John F. Kennedy
Nursery Places
From September 2025, we are delighted to be offering Nursery provision for children aged 3 and 4! Places in Nursery are allocated via school, in accordance with our Nursery admissions policy.
We offer both 15-hour places and 30-hour places (where there is a small cost for the wraparound care provided over lunchtime).
Our sessions run Monday to Friday:-
- Morning sessions: 8.35 a.m. until 11.35 a.m.
- Afternoon sessions: 12.15 p.m. until 3.15 p.m.
For more information about a Nursery place at Holy Rosary, please contact the school office on 01902 878440 or email school on office@holyrosaryprimary.co.uk.
Reception Places
For children starting our Reception, we will ensure a smooth transition into our school- either from our own Nursery or another setting. We will do this through phone calls, visits to school and visits to your home to get to know your child. There are a wide range of knowledge and skills that are developed during the Reception year to help children reach the expected level of the Early Learning Goals at the end of the year.
Reception places are allocated via the normal primary school admissions process through City of Wolverhampton Council. More information can be found here.
Visits Welcomed
If you would like to visit our Nursery or Reception classes, please contact the school office and we can arrange a tour for you.
Useful Websites
Keeping Young Children Safe Online
