Foundation Stage

Our Foundation Stage curriculum has been developed to offer our youngest children a stimulating introduction to learning in a fun and safe environment that includes plenty of indoor and outdoor structured play.

The members of the Foundation Team plan together to provide activities to encourage the children´s natural curiosity, sense of fun and educational development.

 

The Early Years Foundation Stage is based on four main themes:

1. A unique child – all children are valued and respected.

2. Positive relationships – children learn best from secure relationships and it is essential that there is a two-way culture of communication between parents and staff.

3. Enabling environments – we work hard to ensure that the whole environment, including the outdoors is accessible and attractive to the children.

4. Learning and development – emphasis is based on children learning through play with a good balance of child led and focus activities.

The Curriculum programme is divided into six areas of learning, which are:

PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Children will learn to be self-confident, take an interest in things, know what their own needs are, tell the difference between right and wrong and be able to dress and undress.

COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Children will learn to talk confidently and clearly, enjoying stories, songs and poems, hearing and saying sounds and linking them to the alphabet. They will read and write some familiar words and learn to use a pencil.

PROBLEM SOLVING, REASONING AND NUMERACY

Children will develop an understanding of maths through stories, songs, games and imaginative play. They will become comfortable with numbers and with ideas such as “heavier than” or “bigger”. They will be aware of shapes and space.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Children will explore and find out about the world around them, asking questions about it. They will build with different materials, know about everyday technology and learn what it is used for. They will find out about past events in their lives and their families´ lives. They will find out about different cultures and beliefs.

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Children will learn to move confidently controlling their body and handing equipment.

CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Children will explore colours and shapes, trying out dance, making things, telling stories and making music.

A close partnership with the rest of the Primary school, ensures that when the Foundation Stage Children are ready to move up to Key Stage 1 they are familiar with the environment, prepared and confident.