Early Years Foundation Stage

 Foundation Stage

‘Every child deserves the best possible start in life and support to fufil their potential. A child’s experience in the early years has a major impact on their future life chances. A secure, safe and happy childhood is important in its own right and it provides the foundation for children to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow up.’

Early Years Foundation Stage Profile -    Department for Children, Schools and Families 2012

Our Early Years teaching is based on the fundamental principal that children learn best through play and ‘hands on’ experiences. We recognise that every child is unique and learning happens when they are engaged and motivated in their play and happy and secure in their learning environment

Our curriculum for the Foundation Stage reflects the areas of learning identified in the Early Learning Goals.

There are seven areas of learning and development that must shape educational provision in early year’s settings. All areas of learning and development are important and inter-connected.

The three Prime areas are:

 Personal, Social and Emotional Development  involves helping children to develop a positive sense of themselves, and others; to form positive relationships and develop respect for others; to develop social skills and learn how to manage their feelings; to understand appropriate behaviour in groups; and to have confidence in their own abilities

Communication and Language  development involves giving children opportunities to experience a rich language environment; to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves; and to speak and listen in a range of situations.

Physical Development involves providing opportunities for young children to be active and interactive; and to develop their co-ordination, control, and movement. Children must also be helped to understand the importance of physical activity, and to make healthy choices in relation to food.

Staff will also support children in four specific areas, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied.

Literacy involves encouraging children to link sounds and letters and to begin to read and write.   Children must be given access to a wide range of reading materials including books, poems, and other written materials to ignite their interest.

 Mathematics involves providing children with opportunities to develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems; and to describe shapes, spaces, and measure.

 Understanding The World involves guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment

Expressive Arts and Design involves enabling children to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials, as well as providing opportunities and encouragement for sharing their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role-play, and design and technology.

 To read our Early Years Foundation Stage Policy, please click on the link below:

 Early Years Foundation Stage Policy