Foundation Stage
Foundation Stage 1 & 2:
At three and a half years of age children are initiated into schooling at CES through fun filled activities within the framework of the UK’s Early Years Foundation Stage program. A positive attitude to school and learning is fostered through individual attention, encouragement, support, and an exciting topic based curriculum. Our aim is to facilitate a smooth transition from home to school, and to make learning both challenging and exciting, in a safe, secure and happy environment.
At CES we believe very strongly in the following guiding principles.
1. That every child is unique. We carefully tailor our educational program to ensure each child’s interests and needs are met.
2. That every child can learn to be strong and independent, through the formation of positive relationships with both their peers and adults.
3. That children learn and develop best in enabling environments, where they are provided with stimulating, challenging activities and are carefully guided by our experienced teachers.
4. That children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates, and it is very important to both support them and to scaffold their learning, to ensure they successfully access the Foundation Stage Curriculum.
During these very important formative years of a child’s life, the Foundation Stage program is geared towards developing self-esteem, social and collaborative learning skills, along with developing basic cognitive and motor abilities. Children will take part in whole class learning, group work, and explore modern technology. Introducing children to the curriculum in this manner helps them to feel secure, valued and confident and develops their sense of achievement through their OWN learning.
The Foundation Stage program develops key learning skills such as listening, speaking, concentration, persistence and learning to work together. It also develops early communication, literacy and numeracy skills that will prepare young children for Year 1 of the English National Curriculum. The learning and development skills that most children should achieve by the end of their two years in the Foundation Stage are called the Early Learning Goals.
The Importance of Play
Play is very important for the development of young children. When children play, they are learning by acquiring and developing new skills and a deeper understanding of the world around them. Quality play opportunities are also key to a child’s social and emotional development.
Through play your child can develop improved motor skills, such as how to hold and control a pencil, as well as learn important collaborative skills. In educational terms, this is called active learning, and is recognised as an essential, effective and valuable start to a child’s education.
All activities and play experiences that children participate in daily at school are carefully selected to promote and support the holistic development of the child.
The Benefits of the Foundation Stage Program
At CES, we recognise that children develop rapidly physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially. Interacting with other children means learning how to wait, how to take turns and how to listen to others. These social skills are critical to a developing personality. We also carefully consider the needs of each unique child at CES and ensure:
· To celebrate the culture, language and ethnicity of all our students.
· Provide opportunities for children to engage in self-initiated tasks, adult led activities and high quality play.
· Deliver a challenging curriculum that provides progression in learning from FS1 to FS2, and then into Year 1.
The Foundation Stage Curriculum
The Foundation Stage curriculum is organised into seven areas of learning.
1. Personal, social, and emotional development
This area helps to shape children’s social skills and develops respect and understanding towards others’ differences.
2. Physical development
Young children often love to be active, but they also need to understand that continued physical activity paired with healthy food choices are important.
3. Communication and language
Providing a safe environment for young children to express themselves allows them to develop both their language and communication skills.
4. Literacy
It’s crucial for children to discover phonemic awareness, which is the ability to hear and identify different words and sounds, and also to start reading and writing.
5. Mathematics
Children need to be guided in developing skills with numbers and calculations, as well as being able to describe shapes, spaces and measures.
6. Understanding the world
This involves children making sense of their surroundings by observing and exploring.
7. Expressive arts and design
Activities like drawing, playing with paint, instruments and utilising technology all give children the chance to express themselves and learn new skills.