Children in Foundation Stage are taught through planned, purposeful play and through a mix of adult-led and child initiated activities.  The staff respond to children’s needs and interests by planning activities which reflect the different ways that children learn.

There are 7 areas of learning that form the Early Years foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum.  All areas of learning and development are important and interconnected.

The 3 prime areas are

• Communication and Language – speaking and listening in a range of situations
• Physical Development – being active and interactive, developing co-ordination, control and movement, the importance of physical activity and making health food choices.
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development – forming positive relationships, developing respect for others, developing social skills, managing their feelings, understanding appropriate behaviour and to have confidence in their own abilities.

The 4 specific areas are

• Literacy – linking sounds and letters to begin to read and write
• Mathematics – developing skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, simple addition and subtraction, describing shapes, space and measures.
• Understanding the World – making sense of their physical world and their community, finding out about people, places, technology and the environment.
• Expressive Arts and Design – exploring and playing with a wide range of media and materials, through art, music, dance, role-play and design and technology.

The classroom is organised into well resources learning areas, both inside and outside, from which the children can choose or add to the resources they need.  The children have free-flow access to the outside area.

The school day starts at 8:40 am when the children arrive, they self-register and begin their independent play.  The doors to the outside area are usually opened once the main school gates have been locked.