Hello

The Foundation Stage unit has places for children aged between 3 and 5 years old. It is staffed by two teachers, Vicky Patrick and Lucy Bogg, a qualified nursery nurse, Alita Lattimore, and a teaching assistant, Beverley Cook.

Our aim is to provide a secure and happy environment in which children can develop intellectually, physically, emotionally and socially. By planning effective teaching in the foundation stage we encourage children to become independent, initiating activities that promote learning whilst learning from others. They are given opportunities to explore and find things out at their own pace and to learn in different ways so that they become secure and confident in learning. We believe that working in partnership with parents/guardians is essential to ensure that the child receives the best learning experience and that every aspect of learning is covered.

Play is the key way in which children learn. It provides fun and enjoyment as well as providing children with a challenge. We support children’s learning by having a challenging and well-resourced environment in which both planned and spontaneous play takes place. This allows children to gain a variety of knowledge, skills and understanding whilst also providing the opportunity for support and extension.

The Foundation Stage curriculum underpins all of this within the six areas of learning

Personal, Social and Emotional Development:

Encourages children to be independent and to interact with peers and adults, establishing good relationships and working together in harmony. It allows children to develop respect for themselves and others and to think about what is right and wrong. It supports emotional well being, helping children to feel safe and secure and ready to tackle new experiences. It helps positive attitudes so that children become enthusiastic about their learning and have confidence in their own ability.

Communication, Language and Literacy:

Encourages children to develop conversation skills and expand their vocabulary providing opportunities for talk within different contexts. It provides the skills necessary to describe, explain and expand their own ideas alongside opportunities to share such ideas, ask questions and
develop good listening and concentration skills. It encourages children to explore and enjoy a wide variety of books, which helps to develop recognition of letters, sounds and words: develop pencil control and letter formation ready for children to progress from easy mark making to eventually writing their own name and simple words and sentences.

Mathematical Development:

Encourages children to evolve problem-solving skills and provides opportunities to learn about patterns, measurement ad shape and space. It encourages children to explore, learn practise and enjoy all skills within a broad range of contexts.

Knowledge and Understanding of the World:

Encourages children to explore, investigate, predict, plan and experiment in a rich and varied manner. It gives them the opportunity to find out about themselves, things in the environment and to discover about how family in the past, present and future has a significance to them. It encourages children to develop their ICT skills and to enhance other skills such as decision-making and problem solving.

Physical Development:

Encourages children to move confidently, imaginatively and safely. It allows children to show spatial awareness and develop a sense of balance. It provides opportunities to use a wide range of small and large equipment in safety and allows practical skills such as dressing/undressing and bathroom independence to develop. It increases their understanding of how our body works and what we need to keep healthy.

Creative Development:

Encourages children to develop an interest, explore ideas, thought and feelings through a range of contexts such as art, imaginative role lay, music, dance and design technology. It enables children to express themselves in their own way and with confidence. It helps to extend their vocabulary and continues developing the ability to use different tools and techniques.

Foundation Stage Times

Mornings: FS1 9.00 am - 11.30 am
Afternoons: 1.00 pm - 3.30 pm
FS2 - Full Time 8.55 am - 3.30 pm

We ask that parents wait with their children until the doors open. We encourage parents to come in with their child and help them settle at the start of each session. We ask that parents collect their children at the end of each session, children will not be allowed to go with older siblings unless above 16 years of age.

If you are unable to collect your child and have made arrangements for someone else to collect, please inform the staff and give them the name of that person.

If your child is absent please inform staff, either verbally or in writing, of the reason on their return. This would be greatly appreciated. Tel: 01430 440668 Ms Ingram or Mrs Hanson in the Office.

Should your child be suffering from something infectious please inform the staff and school straight away. Bearing this in mind, we are fully aware that cough, colds and tummy upsets occur and we have found it is better to keep the children off for at least 24 hours before returning them. This ensures a better recovery, the children are happier and there is less chance of a bug being passed around. Please inform the school if you child has an infectious disease.

Foundation Stage 1 children are entitled to receive a carton of milk halfway through each session. The other children are allowed to bring water bottles to school. We ask that you ensure the contents are only water. Fizzy drinks and juice are not allowed.

A healthy snack is provided for everyone. This is at a cost to parents of 50p per week. We ask that you pay this amount to the staff. Any money left over will be used to buy new resources etc. needed in the unit.

Uniform is required for children of school age.However all children are encouraged to wear the uniform.Foundation Stage 2 children are also required to have a PE Kit: Black shorts and White T shirts and a change of shoes. Sweatshirts can be purchased from the school office.

We ask that all children are able to go the toilet independently before starting at the unit and are aware of how important it is to wash our hands afterwards. If an accident does occur we will provide a change of clothes, which we ask to be washed and returned as soon as possible.

If you have any questions or problems you wish to talk about, Miss Patrick and Miss Bogg are always available both before and after school.

Thank you for taking the time to read through this information.