Curriculum in the Foundation Stage
The core aim of the Foundation Stage at Barlby Primary school is to provide a strong foundation for learning for the rest of each pupil’s life. We work closely with parents to support the children’s learning and enable them to reach their full potential. The Nursery and Reception classes follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum and work towards the Early Learning Goals.
During their time in the Foundation Stage your child will be learning skills, acquiring new knowledge and demonstrating their understanding through 7 areas of learning and development.
Children should mostly develop the 3 prime areas first. These are:
• Communication and language;
• Physical development; and
• Personal, social and emotional development.
These prime areas are those most essential for your child’s healthy development and future learning. As children grow, the prime areas will help them to develop skills in 4 specific areas. These are:
• Literacy;
• Mathematics;
• Understanding the world; and
• Expressive arts and design.
These 7 areas are used to plan your child’s learning and activities. Planning for this curriculum is designed to be flexible so that your child’s unique needs and interests are supported. Children in the EYFS learn by playing and exploring, being active, and through creative and critical thinking which takes place both indoors and outside. Our outdoor area is used all year round and in all weather conditions (excluding blizzards, gale-force winds and torrential rain!).
A typical day in a Nursery or Reception class would always include a focus, adult lead activity which is completed by each child either individually or in a small group. There are also a range of stimulating and engaging activities which the children can access independently and a variety of opportunities for child-initiated play. In planning and guiding children’s activities we reflect on the different ways that children learn and reflect these in our practice. Three characteristics of effective teaching and learning are:
• playing and exploring - children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’;
• active learning - children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties, and enjoy achievements;
• creating and thinking critically - children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things.
Have a look at our video of a day in the life of the foundation stage below for a sneak preview of what goes on in our foundation stage!