WELCOME TO THE FOUNDATION STAGE

Intent

At Buswells Lodge our aim is to create a learning environment and build relationships which support, enhance and invite a child’s curiosity, confidence and independence. We aim to work collaboratively with parents and carers to encourage independent, enthusiastic learners who thrive and reach their full potential. It is our aim that children who enter our EYFS begin their lifelong learning journey by developing physically, verbally, cognitively and emotionally whilst also embedding a positive attitude to school and a love of learning. We believe that there are no limits to what the children can achieve. We inspire the children to have high aspirations through ensuring a well thought out curriculum and environment based of the needs of each child that builds upon their interests and previous experiences. At Buswells Lodge our aim is to create a learning environment and build relationships which support, enhance and invite a child’s curiosity, confidence and independence. We aim to work collaboratively with parents and carers to encourage independent, enthusiastic learners who thrive and reach their full potential. It is our aim that children who enter our EYFS begin their lifelong learning journey by developing physically, verbally, cognitively and emotionally whilst also embedding a positive attitude to school and a love of learning. We believe that there are no limits to what the children can achieve. We inspire the children to have high aspirations through ensuring a well thought out curriculum and environment based of the needs of each child that builds upon their interests and previous experiences.

At Buswells Lodge we understand and value that each child has their own individual starting point and that they progress at different rates. We continually adapt our curriculum and learning environment based on the children needs and interests and from ongoing assessments. This enables us to develop a foundation stage curriculum that is bespoke to the children that attend Buswells Lodge.

Every interaction with the children is a chance to form a bond and create a learning experience so that children reach their full potential. This is achieved through effective adult interactions and purposeful observations.

Strong home-school partnerships are important and we value and respect our parents input and contributions. This demonstrates to the children that all aspects of their life are important.  

Implementation

At Buswells Lodge our Foundation Stage curriculum is knowledge and skills based, ensuring that the children have the tools that they need to be ‘expected’ at the end of the Foundation Stage and to be year 1 ready. The golden threads of communication and language, physical development and personal, social and emotional development are woven through all aspects of the curriculum and daily activities. Oracy skills and exposure to a wide range of vocabulary is essential as the baseline for their future learning. Our learning environment promotes this by teachers, HLTAs and teaching assistants constantly modelling sentence structure and introducing key vocabulary.

The children gain new knowledge and skills through our carefully developed curriculum. These engage and excite the children to learn and develop, consolidating and practising their new skills and knowledge through play. These are taken from the Statutory Guidance, Development Matters and Birth to 5 Matters.

Our planning breaks down and develops the skills and knowledge the children will learn. These are then adapted for the different abilities, interests and experiences of the children. Learning objectives are shared verbally with the children so they know what the expectations are. Adult led focus activities are planned to develop the child’s learning journey in key areas each week.  Children have access to free-flow activities to enhance their own learning which are reviewed to ensure there are opportunities for extension and based on the interests of the children. Independent learning is promoted by our carefully developed Challenge Passport in foundation stage 2. Each week there are key activities to complete, based on the objectives being taught that week. These are shared with the children and can be achieved through various activities both using the inside and outside environments.

Are aim is to provide a broad, balanced curriculum which allows children to explore their own creativity whilst challenging them to

achieve highly. We strive for our children to become successful, life-long, independent learners. Our Growth Mindset beliefs and Learning Powers give them the tools to achieve this. These compliment the characteristics of effective learning.

Impact

The curriculum and the learning environment is monitored throughout to gauge its impact. This is done through learning walks, book looks, pupil questioning, formative and summative assessment opportunities, subject lead visits and data analysis. Findings are then discussed, strengths are shared and any areas of concern are reviewed developed.

Whole school staff meetings have allowed for the fundamental practises of the Foundation Stage to be shared and therefore allows the curriculum leads to have a whole school overview for their subject areas.

At the end of FS2, the children are judged to be emerging or expected in each area of learning. TO achieve GLD (Good Level of Development), a child needs to have achieved expected in:

Listening, Attention and Understanding

Speaking

Self-Regulation

Managing Self

Building Relationships

Gross Motor Skills

Fine Motor skills

Comprehension

Word Reading

Writing

Number

Numerical Patterns.

This is the level  that the government expects your child to be working at by the end of the Foundation Stage.

Please see the individual class pages for more information specific to either FS1 or FS2.

Below are some links to websites that you may find useful.