1. Welcome to Newton International School EYFS Curriculum Afternoon 22 nd September 2013 1-1:30pm eyfsnis.wikispaces.com

2. 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.

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

4. 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: 1.Communication and language; 2. Physical development; and 3. Personal, social and emotional development. 7 Areas of Learning and 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.

5. Personal, Social and Emotional Development 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. The children will be learning to:

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

7. Physical Development 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 The children will be learning to:

8. Understanding 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; The children will:

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

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. Jolly Phonics Focus on letter sounds Using lower case (AHMED – Ahmed ) Jolly Songs from YouTube Extending Learning - Wikispace page: eyfsnis.wikispaces.com Oxford Reading Tree High Frequency Words

13. 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.

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

15. A few reminders Uniforms -All items named (even shoes) -Zaks / School Colours (posters on notice boards) - Why are Uniforms important? - Healthy Eating -no sweets, chocolates, crisps, fizzy drinks, sugary milks or fast food. -Birthday Parties – No fast food or hired entertainment. -No NUT PRODUCTS Attendance - Arriving at school late/leaving early : 7:00 am Start, 12:30 Finish. Messy Play - Your child will be taking part in lots of interesting and sometimes messy experiences, so they may come home dirty! It is all part of the fun!

16. 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 Jaeun Park (Team Leader) or Ms Clare Green (Coordinator) Step 3: If unresolved, please make an appointment to see Ms Byrne (Head of Primary) after you have completed the previous steps. Please Note: Today’s meeting is an introduction to the curriculum only. Later in the term, you will be invited to discuss your child’s progress & adjustment at school during the parent/teacher meetings.