Early Years Foundation Stage
"Every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to fulfill their potential. Children develop quickly in the early years and a child’s experiences between birth and age five have a major impact on their future life chances. A secure, safe and happy childhood is important in its own right. Good parenting and high quality early learning together provide the foundation that children need to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow up."
(Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage – Department for Education, March 2021)
In our setting, we understand that every child is unique and we aim to ensure every opportunity is made to support children in developing positive relationships in an enabling, stimulating environment. This enables all our children to learn and develop to their full potential.
We focus our learning on the 7 areas of learning from the EYFS Framework (Development Matters):
PRIME AREAS
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Communication and Language
- Physical Development
SPECIFIC AREAS
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts & Design
These areas of learning are all interconnected and each child will take a journey through them, developing skills and knowledge through the appropriate age bands in order to help them achieve 17 Early Learning Goals by the end of FS2. Our role is to support our children by observing, assessing and planning effectively to support and enable our children to achieve and exceed these goals. We aim to ensure children demonstrate the Characteristics of Effective Learning (below) which aid their journey through the Early Years and areas of learning:
- playing & exploring
- active learning
- creating & thinking critically
Our setting enables children to learn both indoors and outdoors. The indoor provision is linked to a theme or children's interests and enables children to develop language and concepts either led by an adult or initiated by themselves. In the outdoors, children have the opportunity to learn on a larger scale and benefit from the natural environment. During the children's time in EYFS, we create a Foundation Stage Profile for each child documenting achievements through photos and observations of play and learning.
Parents as Partners
We aim to ensure that we develop excellent relationships with our parents and families. We have an open door policy in the Foundation setting so if you have any questions or queries please speak to a member of the Foundation team. We welcome all contributions from parents regarding children's achievements at home and you will have the opportunity to share these throughout your child's learning journey with us using our electronic system Dojo.
Our Early Years Staff
Early Years Foundation Stage 1
Children in FS1 can access 15 free hours of education and 30 hours funded care if you have an appropriate code. We also offer the choice to top-up sessions and days through extra payment through the school office. Children can begin their nursery early years journey with us the term after they turn 3 years of age.
In FS1, children will focus their learning mainly in the Prime Areas of learning. These areas are fundamental and work together to ensure children can develop in all other areas.
Children will learn to be independent learners, be able to care for themselves and others. Develop their ability to listen and respond and be able to speak clearly and at an age appropriate level. They will become confident and aware of their own abilities and make good relationships with adults and peers.
Children will sing songs and rhymes, listen and talk about stories, count and recognise some numbers, explore how their body moves and strengthen arm, wrist and hand movements - all in preparation to begin their learning journey through the Specific Areas.
Early Years Foundation Stage 2
Children in FS2 attend school everyday and have the opportunity to enjoy every aspect of primary school life.
In FS2, children will focus their learning in both the Prime and Specific Areas of learning. The Specific Areas include essential skills and knowledge for children to participate successfully in society. At Anston Brook, our intention is to enable children to aspire to contribute to and change the world around them.
Children will learn to read and write, count and develop calculation strategies. They will learn to solve problems and test out their ideas. Children will develop their ability to talk about the world around them, notice change and the importance of belonging to a family and community.
Children will become artists, builders, scientists and engineers.
Early Years Foundation Stage Information
Half day morning sessions (FS1 15 hours children)
Doors open at 8:40am and session begins at 8:45am.
Session ends at 11:45am.
Full day sessions (FS1 30 hours children and FS2 children)
Doors open at 8:40am.
The day ends at 3:30pm.
PE
FS2 children take part in PE sessions each week and will need a PE kit in school - white T-shirt, black shorts, a pair of white socks and a pair of black plimsolls.
