Foundation Stage (3-5 Years Old)
Welcome Message from the Head of Foundation Stage
EYFS Framework – the National Curriculum for England
We use the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework from the National Curriculum for England, for our students in FS1 and FS2. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework supports an integrated approach to early learning and care. It gives all professionals a set of common principles and commitments to deliver quality early education and childcare experiences to all children.
The curriculum focuses on the 7 areas of learning which includes Personal, Social and Emotional Development; Physical Development; Communication and Language; Literacy; Mathematics; Understanding the World and Expressive Arts and Design.
The prime areas (Social and Emotional Development, Physical Development & Communication and Language) begin to develop quickly in response to relationships and experiences, and run through and support learning in all other areas. In addition, there are four specific areas of learning. The specific areas include essential skills and knowledge. They grow out of the prime areas, and provide important contexts for learning.
Experiential Learning
In FS, we place a great emphasis on experiential learning and learning through discovery, led by the child themselves where possible. However children also have whole class and small group teacher-led activities based around the teaching of the main areas of development. All children’s experiences are recorded using photographs, video and evidence of work, where possible (eg mark making, painting etc). Much of this may be presented in a student’s learning journal.
Phonics
We use Read-Write-Inc. to teach phonics from FS upwards. In FS1, students will have access to pre-phonics activities and sound work, for example listening to and recognising sounds in the environment, animal sounds, or making early sounds with their own voices.
Sincerely,
