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Welcome to our Information Session

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

The Early Years Foundation Stage consists of seven areas of learning and development. Within each area there are a number of early learning goals which most children will achieve by the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

The practice guidance also sets out in ‘Development Matters’ the likely stages of progress a child makes along their learning journey towards the early learning goals.

The curriculum

The EYFS spans from birth to 5 and has two main areas. The prime areas which are the building blocks which provide the skills a child has to have in place on which to build future learning. The specific areas which add richness to the early years curriculum.

LITERACY U N I

YOUR CHILD

MATHS UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD SPECIFIC AREAS EXPRESSIVE ARTS AND DESIGN Q U E

PERSONAL SOCIAL EMOTIONAL PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE

PRIME AREAS

Personal, social and emotional development

This area of learning involves helping children to develop a positive sense of themselves, and others; to form positive relationships and develop respect for others; to develop social skills and learn how to manage their feelings; to understand appropriate behaviour in groups; and to have confidence in their own abilities

Communication and language

This area of learning provides opportunities for your child to talk confidently, respond to adults and to other children in an environment where speaking and listening are highly valued skills.

Physical development

This area of learning offers opportunities for your child to develop and practise their control over large movements such as running, jumping, climbing, swinging, etc. and also finer movements which involve the ability to control the use of one handed tools and equipment e.g. digging tools, paint brushes, mark-making and writing tools. It also supports a developing understanding of how their bodies work and what they need to be healthy and safe.

Literacy

This area of learning gives opportunities for all children to explore, enjoy, learn about and use words and text in a broad range of contexts. It involves encouraging children to link sounds and letters and to begin to read and write.

Mathematics

This area of learning involves providing children with a broad range of contexts within which to explore, enjoy, learn, practice and talk about the language of mathematics. This will support them to develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems; and to describe shapes, space and measures.

Understanding the world

This area of learning provides opportunities for your child to solve problems, make decisions, experiment, predict, plan and question in a variety of contexts and to explore and find out about their environment and their community. Your child will also explore the impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on their everyday lives.

Expressive arts and design

This area of learning involves enabling children to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials, as well as providing opportunities and encouragement for sharing their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role-play, and design and technology.

In the Foundation Stage children deepen their understanding by playing, talking, observing, planning, questioning, experimenting, testing, repeating, reflecting and responding to adults and each other.

We plan learning experiences of the highest quality, based upon ongoing assessments of the children’s needs and achievements. There is a balance of child initiated and adult directed/focus activities with both indoor and outdoor provision.

Early years Foundation Stage

You can download a copy if you would like more information http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/wp content/uploads/2012/03/Development Matters-FINAL-PRINT-AMENDED.pdf

Keyperson

At Ducklings we have a system where each child has an adult who acts as their key person.

• The key person will: Work closely with the child and their family • Ensure that individual needs and interests are recognised and met.

• Keep learning records up to date and share them with the parents

We have a weekly staff meeting where all staff: • Share and discuss observations made during the previous week • Use these observations, and reflections, to plan activities to meet the children’s needs and interests • Discuss children’s learning and development

Progress reports

It is a statutory requirement that we complete a developmental record for all children who start at our setting before their 3 rd birthday.

Progress reports will be completed by your child’s keyperson once a year. For the younger children this will be at the beginning of the summer term. For children starting school it will be a transition report at the end of the summer term.

Parent Involvement

At Ducklings we recognise the important contribution parents and carers have to make to their child’s learning and development. By working in partnership we aim to provide the best possible start to every child’s early learning.

We value your contributions so please let us know about the WOW moments ….

We want to share with you the important things your child is learning and doing. These will be unique to your child. We will add them to your child’s folder of special memories at Ducklings.

You could use these vouchers to tell us that: Your child slept through the night They used the potty They counted the stairs as they climbed them They retold their favourite story to you Use them for anything you want to share with us.

Date Date Date Date

As a parent you have a special role to play. The good news is you don’t have to be an expert to help your child reach their potential. You can do so much through everyday activities that really make a difference and help your child’s skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing.

• • • • Chatting and singing together develops listening and speaking skills Sharing books inspires children to love books and want to learn to read Scribbling and drawing develops early writing skills and helps children express themselves Noticing signs and words when you are out and about helps children understand the world around them

How can I help my child learn to read?

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Sharing your enjoyment of reading and talking about stories is the most important way you can support your child in their learning to read.

Spend time snuggling up with your child and sharing books and stories. Make sure a selection of books is always available for your child to look at independently if they choose.

Changes in voice and exaggerated facial expressions help to support listening and attention by building interest and anticipation. For some children, these clues are also vital to supporting their understanding of the story.

Explain the meaning of new words. Most importantly though, show the fun that can be gained by listening to stories.

Top tips for reading stories aloud http://www.wordsforlife.org.uk/top-tips reading-stories-aloud

What has my child done today?

Please look at the planning board in the cloakroom. We update it regularly with photos of the activities we have done at Ducklings.

If you want information about the areas of the curriculum covered these are on the outside planning board.

Policies and Procedures

• Policies help us to make sure that the service provided by the setting is a high quality one and that being a member of the setting is an enjoyable and beneficial experience for each child and her/his parents.

• • Copies of the setting’s policies and procedures are available on the Dunalley Primary School Website http://www.dunalley.gloucs.sch.uk/dunalley ducklings/ducklings-policies/

Cloakroom and belongings

• Please name all your child’s belongings. It makes it much easier for us to return coats, shoes, slippers to the right Ducking!

• Slip on or velcro shoes/slippers are much easier than lace ups • Each child has their own peg and a bag for spare clothes etc. Please do not bring in any other bags etc as we are so short of space.

Wet days

It is also really helpful if the children wear their wellies to and from Ducklings and change into their slippers when they get here.