School Curriculum - Foundation

'What is the Foundation Stage?'

It's for children aged 3-5, and covers the years they spend from the beginning of nursery or pre-school to the end of reception class in primary school. It was introduced in September 2000 to cover these important years in your child's life.

'Where will my child go for Foundation Stage?'

The government is funding Foundation Stage places:

in nursery and reception classes
in playgroups
in pre-schools
in nurseries
with accredited childminders in approved childminding networks.

Personal, social and emotional development. Your child will learn to be self-confident, take an interest in things, know what their own needs are, tell the difference between right and wrong, and be able to dress and undress.
Communication, language and literacy. Your child will learn to talk confidently and clearly, enjoying stories, songs and poems, hearing and saying sounds, and linking them to the alphabet. They will read and write some familiar words and learn to use a pencil.

Mathematical development. Your child will develop an understanding of maths through stories, songs, games and imaginative play. They will become comfortable with numbers and with ideas such as 'heavier than' or 'bigger'. They will be aware of shapes and space.

Knowledge and understanding of the world. Your child will explore and find out about the world around them, asking questions about it. They will build with different materials, know about everyday technology and learn what it is used for. They will find out about past events in their lives and their families' lives. They will find out about different cultures and beliefs.

Physical development. Your child will learn to move confidently, controlling their body and handling equipment.
Creative development. Your child will explore colours and shapes, trying out dance, making things, telling stories and making music.

'Will the goals put pressure on my child?'
No. Most of the time, children will feel they're just playing and having fun. Sometimes they'll choose what they want to do. Sometimes they'll take part in an activity that helps them learn how to concentrate or develop a particular skill, like using scissors or gluing card.

'Will my child be tested at the end of the foundation stage?'

There will be an assessment made at the end of the Foundation Stage called the Foundation Stage Profile.

'What is the Foundation Stage Profile?'

The Foundation Stage Profile is a national scheme to enable teachers to record observations and summarise your child's achievements at the end of the Foundation Stage. It will be used to summarise their achievements of the Early Learning Goals within the Foundation Stage and covers all six areas of learning. Teachers record achievement based on their observations of your child's activities through out the Reception Year. They do not need to carry out any set assessment activities.

'What can I do to help my child?'

You're probably doing it already! Finding out what they have done at nursery, discovering what they like and don't like, encouraging them to ask questions, listen to others and try out new skills all help support their learning process. Reading your child stories and helping them to learn nursery rhymes is particularly helpful.
You can talk about and record information about your child's progress and achievements, for example through meetings with the teacher or by making a book about the child, to which your child can contribute.
Keep this website bookmarked, ready for when your child starts at school in Key Stage 1, after the Foundation Stage. It is full of advice and tips about ways you can help your child, so you will want to look at them later. You don't have to do all (or any) of the tips, but any you can do will support your child's learning during Key Stage 1.
'What about when my child starts reception class?'

When your child first starts reception class, their teacher carries out a baseline assessment, to find out about your child's learning needs. It's not a formal test. It's often done simply by doing some regular classroom activity with your child, such as looking at a book with them, so they won't even be aware they're being assessed. It's not something you or your child should worry about.

'Can my child start earlier than four?'

Quite possibly: the number of free part-time education places for 3 year olds is growing all the time. Contact the Children's Information Service to find out what's available. (You can get the number of your local service from ChildcareLink on 08000 96 02 96.)

'What can I do to help my child?'

You're probably doing it already! Finding out what they have done at nursery, discovering what they like and don't like, encouraging them to ask questions, listen to others and try out new skills all help support their learning process. Reading your child stories and helping them to learn nursery rhymes is particularly helpful.

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