The Foundation Stage Curriculum

What is the Foundation Stage? The foundation stage begins when children reach the age of three, when children might attend a nursery setting. The children continue with the Foundation Stage curriculum until they enter year 1 in school. Foundation Stage means laying the foundations for learning.

Areas of learning… Prime Areas The Foundation Stage Curriculum is split into seven areas of learning… Prime Areas Personal, social and emotional development Communication and Language Physical Development

Areas of learning… The specific areas Literacy The Foundation Stage Curriculum is split into seven areas of learning… The specific areas Literacy Mathematical development Understanding of the world Creative Development

Characteristics of effective learning Active learning -Being involved and concentrating -Keeping trying -Enjoying achieving what they set out to do Playing and Exploring -Finding out and exploring -Playing with what they know -Being willing to ‘have a go’ Creating and Thinking Critically -Having their own ideas -Making links -Choosing ways to do things The way the child learns….

Personal, Social and Emotional Development (Making relationships, Self confidence and self awareness, Managing feelings and behaviour) Encourages children to be independent and to interact with other children and adults. Helps children to become confident, safe, secure and ready to learn from new experiences.

Communication and Language (Listening and Attention, Understanding and Speaking) Encourages children to develop conversational skills. Will help children to develop listening and concentration skills. Supports children to understand why and how questions.

Physical Development (Health and Self Care and Moving and Handling) Supports children’s healthy development. Provides opportunities for using a range of large and small equipment. Helps them to develop a sense of space around themselves and others. Encourages balance. Develops practical skills such as dressing, undressing etc

Literacy (Reading and Writing) Enables children to begin to hear sounds in words and to link these sounds to letters. Encourages children to develop pencil control and to begin to make marks on paper. Will help children to learn to read individual letters, words and eventually, simple stories independently.

Mathematical Development (Number and Shape space and measure) Helps children to count up to ten and beyond. Encourages them to use mathematical words such as bigger, smaller, heavy, light, more, less etc Develops skills in comparing and sorting objects. Supports children’s understanding of shape and size including 2D and 3D shapes.

Understanding of the World (World, People and the community and Technology) Helps children to gain an understanding of their world (Geography) Encourages them to look at changes over time (History) Encourages them to explore and investigate (Science) Helps to develop designing and making skills (D&T) Will give your children the opportunity to understand and use information and communication technology (ICT).

Expressive Art and Design Exploring media and materials, Being imaginative) Inspires children to explore colour and colour changes. Helps them to explore shape and texture using all of their senses. Develops an interest in music, singing and music-making. Develops confidence and imagination.

Enriched Curriculum Seasonal walks Trips – Waitrose, Caversham Library Living eggs Visitors – people from the local community like a dentist or a parent to talk about a religious festival. Yoga sessions Parents helpers Cooking

What can you do to help your child’s transition and learning journey? Talk about nursery in a positive way. Ask questions like; ‘Did you do some painting today?’ ‘Who played with you?’ Spend time in the playground at New Bridge or arrange play dates to help your child make friends. Try new games, activities so your child feels confident when experiencing things for the first time. Play games and role play together modelling turn taking and positive behaviour and choices.