The Foundation Stage of Education
This exciting new initiative is being introduced from September 2000 in all settings (pre-schools, schools, day nurseries) for children aged 3 - 5. The curriculum is based on 6 areas of learning:

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
• Communication, Language and Literacy
• Mathematical Development
• Knowledge and Understanding of the World
• Physical Development
• Creative Development

Early Learning Goals
The children will be working towards Early Learning Goals (ELGs), which replace the old Desirable Learning Outcomes. These ELGs are the outcome of a much broader and carefully considered curriculum to be followed throughout the Foundation Stage. The main difference is that the Foundation Stage now extends the Early Years curriculum until the end of the Reception Year. Previously children were required to move into the National Curriculum learning objectives from the term after their 5th Birthday. The new Foundation Stage recognises that children need a full Reception year before moving into the National Curriculum at the start of Year 1.

Planning for the new curriculum will be just as rigorous and every opportunity will be used to develop children's learning in a way appropriate to their age and stage of development. Play will continue to be the main approach to learning in the Foundation Stage. Those children in Reception classes will still cover the objectives within the Literacy and Numeracy Strategies and these will no longer be taught as a full hour/45 minutes until the end of the Reception Year.

The introduction of the Foundation Stage of education recognises that young children need a specific play focussed approach to learning which links directly with all subjects in the National Curriculum.

The Prinicples
The underpinning principles of this high quality curriculum are that:

• It is in the hands of the practitioners
• It is dependent on practitioners and parents working together
• It ensures that children are secure and confident
• It respects the cultural differences and abilities of all children
• It builds on what children already know and extends their interests
• It uses varied approaches and teaching methods
• It recognises feelings and involves other people
• It encourages children to learn for themselves
• It is dynamic

As parents and carers we are your child's first and main educator and as such we believe that we should work in partnership together to provide a fun learning environment. For more detailed information please have a chat with the pre-school co-ordinator.