Aims of the Curriculum
We appreciate that for many of you this may be your first experience of school as a parent and we would like to provide you with an introduction to the Foundation Stage and our aims within it. We greatly value the children’s previous experiences and believe that learning through play and first hand experiences are vital to when developing their thirst for knowledge. We are very fortunate to have excellent facilities to enable this to happen, these include fantastic bright spacious classrooms, a large and exciting outdoor learning environment, a mud kitchen and numerous child friendly spaces to explore.
Aims and Objectives for the Foundation Stage
We aim to:
Provide a caring and secure environment, where each child is valued as an individual.
Provide equal opportunities for all children, incorporating different cultures, religions and special needs
Develop every child’s confidence and self-esteem to help them become caring and social individuals.
Provide a flexible and stimulating curriculum across the seven areas of learning.
Plan challenging learning experiences that have been informed by observation and assessment.
Provide a range of opportunities that are both adult and child initiated within the classroom and outdoor classroom environment.
Provide secure and safe learning environments indoors and out.
Work in partnership with parents and within the wider context.
Foundation Stage Curriculum
We adhere to the Statutory FS2 framework of the EYFS (2021) and the four guiding principles that shape and guide practice within our early years settings. These are:
A Unique Child
Positive Relationships
Enabling Environments with teaching and support from adults
Learning and Development.
The Areas of Learning and Development
There are seven areas of learning and development that must shape educational programmes in early years settings. All areas of learning and development are important and inter-connected.
Three areas are particularly important for building a foundation for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, forming relationships and thriving. These are the prime area.
Providers must also support children in four specific areas, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied. These are the specific areas.
Our Early Years Foundation stage curriculum is based on ‘Development Matters’ and an outline can be seen below.
Areas of Learning and Development |
Aspect |
|
Prime Areas |
||
Communication and Language |
· Listening, Attention and Understanding · Speaking |
|
Personal, Social and Emotional Development |
· Self-Regulation · Managing Self · Building Relationships |
|
Physical Development |
· Gross Motor Skills · Find Motor Skills |
|
Specific Areas |
||
Literacy |
· Comprehension · Word Reading · Writing |
|
Mathematics |
· Number · Numerical Patterns |
|
Understanding the World |
· Past and Present · People, Culture and Communities · The Natural World |
|
Expressive Arts and Design |
· Creating with Materials · Being Imaginative and Expressive |
|
Planning
In the foundation stage we carefully plan broad topics which are guided by the children’s own interests and create meaningful opportunities for cross curricular learning. Our planning is always based upon the children’s interests, ideas, suggestions and style of learning. When planning we also take into account the children’s learning styles and preference. We encourage children to be adventurous and challenge themselves, we monitor this through the Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning.
The Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning
In planning and guiding what children learn, practitioners must reflect on the different
rates at which children are developing and adjust their practice appropriately. Three
characteristics of effective teaching and learning are:
difficulties, and enjoy achievements
links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things
The children learn through a balance of both child-initiated opportunities and adult led activities to support their learning of basic skills. Play is a large element within the curriculum, the children are able to act upon their personal interests and ideas and have their learning consolidated, embedded, extended and challenged by adults within the setting.
Early Reading and Phonics
Communication and language
Literacy
Mathematics
Personal, social and emotional development
Physical development
Understanding the world