Foundation Stage Curriculum

The Early Years Foundation stage
Pupils in their first year of school are taught through this broad balanced curriculum, which emphasises first hand learning activities by our skilled teachers and support assistants. The curriculum is divided into seven areas of learning. The three Prime Areas are:-

Personal, Social and Emotional development
Physical Development
Communication and Language

And the four Specific Areas are:-

Literacy
Mathematics
Understanding the World
Expressive Arts and Design

Learning

Learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage is carefully planned to include a balance of child-led activities (where children are able to select their own learning, explore and practice skills and enjoy activities in an independent way. and adult directed activities (where specific skills are taught to the children in 1:1, small and large group sessions). All the children take part in a daily phonics session. Learning takes place both indoors and outdoors and gives many opportunities for children to develop their independence and resilience.

Assessment

In the Foundation Stage Children are informally observed and assessed throughout the year. This enables staff to ensure activities, experiences and opportunities are planned to support their developing needs and their next steps. Towards the end of the year the informal observations and assessments are used to reach a judgement for each of the 17 Early learning Goals (ELGs) in the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile. The judgements are expressed as:

Emerging (not yet attaining the ELG)
Expected (reaching the level of development for the end of F2)
Exceeding (attaining beyond the ELG)

Throughout the year we also gather information on 'The Characteristics of Effective Learning' to see how they play and explore, whether they are active learners and create and think critcally.

Home Links

Above all, we believe it is important to nurture a strong partnership with parents/carers from the onset and there are opportunities for parents/carers to contribute to their child's learning journey through the online 'Tapestry' tool. We use Mavellous Me to send a snapshot of the learning and activities that have been happening to help provide a talking point at home.

The Reception Class page shows some of the leaning we have been doing and gives some tips and suggestions for how you can help at home.