What is the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The Early Years Foundation Stage (E.Y.F.S.) is the stage of education for children from birth to the end of the Reception year.

It is based on the recognition that children learn best through play and active learning.

• The ways in which the child engages with other people and their environment underpin learning and development across all areas and support the child to remain an effective and motivated learner.

Playing and exploring - finding out and exploring - playing with what they know - being willing to have a go Active learning critically - being involved and concentrating - keeping trying - enjoying achieving what they set out to do Creating and thinking - having their own ideas - making links - choosing ways to do things

Within the Reception curriculum there are 7 areas of learning. Three of these are Prime areas which underpin all aspects of learning.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development Communication and Language Physical Development

Specific areas of learning

Literacy Mathematics Understanding the World Expressive Arts and Design

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

• • • • • • The children will be learning to: become self-confident; take an interest in things; know what their own needs are; play co-operatively, taking turns; become independent; know the difference between right and wrong.

Communication and Language

The children will be learning to: • • talk confidently and clearly; • • .show awareness of listeners needs; Introduce storylines or narratives in their play.

Physical Development

The children will be learning to: • move confidently; • • control their body; handle tools, objects, construction and malleable materials safely; • use a pencil and hold it effectively to form recognisable letters; • • know how to stay healthy and safe; dress themselves and manage own hygiene

Specific areas of learning Literacy

• • • • • read and write familiar words; write simple sentences; learn to form letters correctly.

Phonics teaching using Read, Write, Inc

Mathematics

The children will be learning to: • develop an understanding of numbers through stories, songs, games and imaginative play; • Place numbers to 20 in order, add/subtract, solve problems; • Use language to talk about weight, size, capacity, time, distance, position and money; • be aware of patterns, shapes and space.

Understanding the World

• • • • The children will: explore and find out about the world around them, asking questions about it; know about everyday technology and learn what it is used for; find out about past events in their lives and their families' lives; find out about different communities and traditions

Expressive arts and design

The children will explore: • colours, shapes, design, texture; • how to make things; • materials, tools and techniques; • role play; • making music.

Daily routine

• Children can come into school from 8.50am

• The school day starts at 9.00am

• Children will be introduced into Assembly before the end of Term 1 • Lunchtime 12.00pm – 1:00pm • Snack time 10.30am – 10.45am

• Playtime 10.45am – 11.00am and 2:05pm – 2:20pm • Home time 3:25pm

Reading

•Shared reading •Guided reading •Individual reading - children will be given a book to take home before October half term. These are changed twice a week. Please write a comment in the reading diary after you have heard your child read.

•Sound books – please practise all of the sounds with your child and ensure their sound book is in their book bags every day.

Writing

In Term 1, emphasis is placed upon; • holding pencil correctly • forming letters correctly - chalking outside, damp sand, tracing over laminated sheets etc.

• writing first name correctly.

This progresses onto writing simple words and simple sentences.

Letter formation – taught through phonic sessions

Assessment

• In the Foundation Stage, assessment is carried out through spontaneous and focused observations and adult led activities. • Photographs are also taken as a record of the children completing various activities.

General Information

• Free milk is available for children under 5 years.

• Water bottles – named please.

• Lunchtime is at 12.20pm-1.20pm. The children have their sandwiches or hot meals in the hall.

• Parents always welcome to come and see me any time with any queries or concerns. Please let us know if anything is bothering your child.

• Please could your child bring their book bag each day - letters put in etc.

• Clothes clearly labelled and especially P.E. kit • Parent/Teacher meetings will be held in October and March.

• Children are never sent out at the end of the school day unless I can see who is picking them up.

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