Early Years

The Foundation Stage curriculum areas are assessed as a statutory requirement for all pupils in the Reception Year. They are divided into prime and specific areas as follows:

Our Early Years department caters for children up to Year 3 on different pathways (Semi-formal, Informal or PMLD – see specific pages for more information).

The areas of learning and development consist of three prime areas and four specific areas. The prime areas are ‘crucial for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning’. The prime areas are:-

Communication and Language	Physical Development

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

The specific areas are also important areas of development in which ‘the three prime areas are strengthened and applied’. The specific areas are:-

Literacy Development

Literacy development involves encouraging children to show interest in books and rhymes, to look at books independently and to listen and join in with stories.  For some it will involve mark making through a wide range of mixed media, sometimes distinguishing between the different marks they

make and even extending to using clearly identifiable letters.  Children must be given access to a wide range of reading materials (books, cause and effect books, information books) to ignite their interest.  Children will experience, listen and respond to stories, songs and nursery/action rhymes.

Mathematics

Mathematics involves providing children with opportunities to develop and improve their experience and awareness of number names through their enjoyment of sensory and messy play, action

and number rhymes and developing number language.  For some, it will involve beginning to identify numbers, ordering and categorising objects, ordering numbers and showing interest in numerals in the

environment.   Children will also be able to experience and develop their awareness of daily routines through a sequence of actions and time based events. Children will experience and explore shape, space and measure.

Understanding the world

Understanding the world involves guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe, experience and find out about people, places, technology and the environment.  Educational visits into the local community are an integral part of allowing children to experience and explore their local environment and to become familiar with features in the environment.

Expressive arts and design

Expressive arts and design involes enabling children to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials, as well as providing opportunities and encouragement for sharing and developing their thoughts, ideas, curiosity, imaginations and creativity and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role-play, and design and technology.