FOUNDATION CLASS

 Learning in the Foundation Class

The Early Years Foundation Stage is made up of six areas of Learning and Development. These six area together make up the skills, knowledge and experience appropriate for children as they grow, learn and develop. all areas of learning and Development are connected to one another and are equally important.

The areas for Learning and Development are:

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Communication, Language and Literacy

Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy

Knowledge and Understanding of the World

Physical development

Creative Development

A rich and varied environment supports children's Learnin and development, giving them the confidence to explore and learn in secure, safe yet challangeing indoor and outdoor spaces. They need plenty of time and space to play indoors and outdoors. Play comes naturally and spontaneously to most children though some need adult support. Children's learning is a continuoous journey through which children build on the things they have already experience and come across new exciting things. Every child's learning takes a personal path based on their own interests and experiences. The support they receive is personalised to meet their individual needs and to extend their talents.

Therefore the school day is a combination of;

Whole class sessions

Small group sessions

Individual personalised sessions

Independent learning (this active learning occurs when children are keen to learn and find out for themselves )

the sessions are planned to allow for whole class teaching, small group work, individual teaching and free choice activities (Play plan)

Class Topics

A different Topic is studied each term. Through this Topic the children will cover Communication, Language and Literacy, Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy, Knowledge and understanding of the World, Physical Development anhd Creative Development. The theme runs through all the lessopms; for example, in a Topic on Water, the children may  run, jump or walk through puddles to see what happens. In this way they begin to understand about the effect of force on water (K and U), how to stay steady on their feet on a slippery surface (PD), they may learn a rhyme about water (CLL) hear a story about a flood (RE or CLL), Llearn about floating and sinking (K and U), measure water (PSRN), learn water songs (CD) and paint watery pictures (CD) In this way they will have covered most of the Areas for Learning and Development.

Deployment of Staff

There are three adults with the class at all times. These staff are deployed in various ways. A whole class session will be led by one adult, with the other two supporting children to sit and look, listen and participate. One adult, allowing up to three small groups to be working at once, will lead small group work. At other times an adult will be working individually with a child. During a day the children will work:

As part of the whole class

As part of a small group

Individually(on targets specific to them)

For example, during Play Plan, two adults will be supervising  and supporting Play Plan activities and the third adult will withdraw children to work with them individually, for approximately 10 minute sessions.

Foundation Class Organisation