1. What is the Early Years Foundation Stage? The Early Years Foundation Stage (E.Y.F.S.) is the stage of education for children from birth to the end of the Reception year. It is based on the recognition that children learn best through play and active learning.

2. Within the Reception curriculum there are six areas of learning. All areas are connected to one another and are equally important. Personal, Social and Emotional Development Communication, Language & Literacy Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy Knowledge & Understanding of the World Physical Development Creative Development

3. Personal, Social and Emotional Development become self-confident; take an interest in things; know what their own needs are; dress and undress independently; become independent; tell the difference between right and wrong. The children will be learning to:

4. Communication, Language and Literacy talk confidently and clearly; enjoy listening to stories, songs and poems; hear and say sounds, and link them to the alphabet; read and write familiar words; learn to use a pencil effectively. The children will be learning to:

5. Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy The children will be learning to: develop an understanding of numbers through stories, songs, games and imaginative play; become comfortable with numbers and with ideas such as 'heavier than' or 'bigger’; be aware of shapes and space.

6. Knowledge and Understanding of the World 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; find out about different cultures and beliefs. The children will:

7. Creative Development colours and shapes; making things; role play; making music. The children will explore:

8. Physical Development move confidently; control their body; handle equipment. The children will be learning to:

9. Daily routine The school day starts at 8.55. Gates open at 8.45. Worship in hall. After worship we begin our lessons.

10. Themes A different theme is covered each term. Fairytales is our theme for Term 1. Home/ School activity books will include details of the curriculum.

11. Reading Shared reading Group reading Individual reading- children will be given a book to take home before October half term. These are changed twice a week. Please write a comment in the reading diary after you have heard your child read.

12. Writing In Term 1, emphasis is placed upon holding pencil correctly- snappy fingers! forming letters correctly- chalking outside, damp sand, tracing, handwriting books etc. writing first name correctly. This progresses onto writing simple words and simple sentences.

13. Phonics Daily session Letters and Sounds scheme used alongside Jolly Phonics actions – the children respond well to this active style of learning Each letter sound has an action to go with it (examples in booklet) Pure sound

14. Letters and Sounds works in phases: Phase 1 completed during Nursery Children start on Phase 2 in Reception

15. Learning the letter sounds children say the sound identify words containing this sound write the letter sound play games/ complete activities to reinforce sounds children can start blending sounds to read and write words early on

16. Assessment In the Foundation Stage assessment is carried out through observations. Photographs are also taken as a record of the children completing various activities. These are used to complete Foundation Stage Profiles.

17. General Information Fruit is available each morning for the children’s snack. Water bottles. Lunchtime is at 11.45-12.45. The children have their sandwiches or hot meals in the hall in their ‘family’ groupings.

18. Show and Tell every Wednesday. Parents always welcome to come and see me any time with any queries/concerns. Please let us know if anything is bothering your child. Please could your child bring their book bag each day- letters put in etc.

19. Clothes clearly labelled. Parent/Teacher meetings will be held in October and March. Children are never sent out at the end of the school day unless I can see who is picking them up.