If you are interested in your child joining our school please get in touch and we can arrange a suitable time for you to have the opportunity visit us. We look forward to welcoming you!
From their very first day, every child who joins us in Reception becomes a Normie — and at Norman Street, Every Normie Matters. Our EYFS classrooms are warm, welcoming spaces where children feel safe, valued and ready to explore. We believe the earliest years of school shape a lifetime of learning, and we are proud of the loving, purposeful start we give every child.
At the heart of our EYFS curriculum is a deep understanding that children learn best through play. We are clear that play is not a break from learning — it is how young children learn best, building language, thinking, social skills and confidence all at once. Our classrooms and outdoor spaces are filled with opportunities for hands-on, engaging activities that spark curiosity and encourage independent thinking. Whether it’s building with blocks, role-playing in the home corner, or investigating the natural world on our visits to a Forest School provision, our pupils are given the freedom to explore, question and grow at their own pace, alongside skilled adults who know just when to join in and when to stand back.
We know, in line with research, that what children learn in Reception shapes how well they go on to read, write, talk and calculate throughout their time at school — and that this matters most for children who need the most support. That’s why our curriculum is carefully planned around the essential knowledge every child needs: a rich vocabulary, a love of stories and books, secure early reading through phonics, and the physical, social and emotional building blocks that help children manage themselves and their learning. Every activity, every conversation and every story time is chosen with these strong foundations in mind, so that no child is left to catch up later.
Young children thrive on knowing what happens next, and predictable routines help our youngest learners feel safe, secure and ready to learn. From their first days, children are gently taught the Normie Way — simple, consistent routines for coming together, moving safely around school, and settling back into the classroom after playtime. These little rituals, practised with warmth and patience, help children build independence and self-regulation, and mean that our classrooms are calm, happy places where every minute can be spent learning and playing.
We believe that developing independence is key to a child’s success, both in the classroom and beyond. Our EYFS staff work closely with each pupil to nurture their self-care skills, problem-solving abilities and confidence in their own capabilities. By providing a supportive environment and gradually increasing expectations, we help our youngest learners become resilient, self-assured individuals who embody our Normie values of being Kind, Brave, Fair, Safe, Respectful and Ready.
Reading is the foundation upon which all other learning is built, and we are passionate about instilling a love of books in our EYFS pupils. Our classrooms are stocked with a wide range of high-quality, age-appropriate literature, and our staff are skilled in using engaging, interactive techniques to bring stories to life. We encourage families to read with their children at home, and work closely with parents to ensure that every child has the support they need to become a confident, enthusiastic reader.
At Norman Street Primary School, we recognise that each child is unique, with their own strengths, needs and learning styles. Our EYFS team is highly skilled in identifying and addressing additional support requirements, whether in communication, physical development, or social and emotional wellbeing. We work closely with families and external agencies to ensure that every child receives the personalised attention and resources they need to thrive.
As a school, we are deeply committed to our local community and the diverse cultures and backgrounds that make it so vibrant. This ethos is woven throughout our EYFS provision, from the resources and materials we use to the experiences we provide. We celebrate the rich tapestry of our school community, fostering a sense of pride and belonging in our youngest learners.
We welcome you to come and see our EYFS provision for yourself. Contact the school office to arrange a visit, and discover how Norman Street Primary School can provide your child with the best possible start to their educational journey — the Normie way.
