EYFS

 

This special time in a child’s education at BISR, between the ages of 3 and 5 years old, literally lays the ‘foundations’ for lifelong learners within the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. We follow a thematic approach to learning in F1 and F2, as well as following each child’s unique interests, wherever possible.

The children have a balance of working independently, collaboratively with their peers and alongside adults. There are also small group sessions during the course of the Foundation Stage day (for example, phonics and number).

There are seven areas of learning and development in the Foundation Stage.  All areas are important and inter-connected.  Three areas are particularly crucial for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive.  These three areas, the prime areas, are:

  •  Communication and language
  • Physical development
  • Personal, social and emotional development

We also support children in four specific areas, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied.  The specific areas are:

  •  Literacy
  •  Mathematics
  • Understanding the world
  •   Expressive arts and design

In the formative years of the Foundation Stage, children have rich and meaningful experiences which help to develop the characteristics of effective learners, by playing and exploring, active learning and creating and thinking critically. Parents have a central role in helping to support the transition from home to school and supporting children in their first steps towards greater independence. The children enjoy having the stability of their Class Teacher and classroom, whilst also benefiting from some subject specialist teaching. Opportunities are taken to start to develop our youngest children’s intercultural understanding across the curriculum.

Some of the philosophies of the EYFS continue into Years 1 and 2 and beyond, as we include elements of play-based provision with our older children, understanding its central role in pastoral wellbeing and academic learning.