Welcome to Newton International School EYFS Curriculum Afternoon 16th September 2015 1-1:30pm

What is the Early Years Foundation Stage? At NIS, The Early Years Foundation Stage (E.Y.F.S.) represents the stage of education for children from Foundation 1 (from 3 years old) to the end of the Foundation 2 (up to 5 years old). It is based on the recognition that children learn best through play and active learning.

2 Positive Relationships 3 Enabling Environments The E.Y.F.S. has 4 themes. These are: 1 A Unique Child 2 Positive Relationships 3 Enabling Environments 4 Learning and Development

7 Areas of Learning and Development 3 Prime Areas & 4 Specific Areas Children should mostly develop the 3 prime areas first. This is the main focus of Foundation 1. These are: Communication and language; 2. Physical development; and 3. Personal, social and emotional development. As children grow, the prime areas will help them to develop skills in 4 specific areas which are further developed in Foundation 2. These are: 1. Literacy; 2. Mathematics; 3. Understanding the world; and 4. Expressive arts and design.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development The children will be learning to: become self-confident; have awareness of their own feelings and feelings of others; take an interest in things; become independent; tell the difference between right and wrong.

Communication and Language The children will be learning to: talk confidently and clearly; show awareness of listener enjoy listening to stories, songs and poems, showing good attention; follow instructions; answer questions about stories

Physical Development The children will be learning to: move confidently; control their body; handle large and small equipment (Fine Motor Skills) manage their own basic hygiene and personal needs including dressing and undressing independently

Understanding the World The children will: explore and find out about the world around them, asking questions about it; build with different materials, know about everyday technology and learn what it is used for; find out about past events in their lives and their families' lives;

Expressive Arts and Design The children will explore: colours and shapes; making things; role play; making music and singing songs

be aware of shapes, space and measures. Mathematics Develop an understanding of maths through stories, songs, games and imaginative play; Problem solving become comfortable with numbers and with ideas such as 'heavier than' or 'bigger’; be aware of shapes, space and measures.

Literacy Can appropriately handle books and understands that print conveys meaning. Asks appropriate questions and follows a basic storyline hear and say sounds, and link them to letters; read and write familiar words and sentences; learn to use a pencil effectively.

Monitoring Progress ‘Development Matters Statements are the ‘stepping stones’ of early childhood development. It incorporates all 7 areas of learning into age brackets. Teachers use this to identify the developing knowledge, skills and understanding of your child and work out the next steps for their learning. These statements will be used alongside on-going observations of your child. Observations are recording and kept in your child’s ‘Learning Journey’ alongside other samples of your child's achievements at school. The Learning Journey is a collection of observations and work samples from your child's time in the Foundation Stage.

“Adults who help children to play are adults who help children to learn.”

A few reminders Healthy Eating -no sweets, chocolates, crisps, fizzy drinks, sugary milks or fast food. -Birthday Parties – No fast food, hired entertainment or candles. -No NUT PRODUCTS (allergies) Attendance -Please  be on time! Parents dropping their child at school after 7:00 or picking their child up before 12:30 will need to take a signed permission slip from our Senior Management Team before collecting or dropping off the child. -Due to safety reasons, only staff are allowed inside the EYFS building from 7:15-12:30. -Please make sure your child attends school regularly, more than 15 days absent can affect your child’s progress to the next year         group.

Have a question or concern? If you have any concerns or questions, please follow the below protocol and we will be happy to help you. Step 1: Address your question/concern with your child’s teacher first (Please book an appointment). Step 2: If unresolved, please make an appointment to see Ms Park (Team Leader) or Ms Green (Coordinator) Step 3: If unresolved, an appointment can be scheduled with the Deputy Principal (Mrs Douglas) through the Coordinator after you have completed the previous steps. .