| Early Years |
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Early Years Department Our Early Years department includes children aged from 21 months to 5 years old. The Foundation Stage makes a crucial contribution to children's early development and learning. We provide children with a rich variety of teaching and learning experiences that are appropriate to their needs. The Foundation Stage is about developing key learning skills such as listening, speaking, concentrating, persistence and learning to work and co-operate with others. The early learning goals are the six main areas of young children's development and learning. They set out what most children are expected to achieve by the end of the Foundation Stage (Reception Year). This will prepare them for work from the National Curriculum at Key Stage 1. The areas of learning are introduced in ways that are suitable for young children. The goals are not a curriculum with lots of different subjects, they are six broad areas of learning: Personal, social and emotional development: Children will develop confidence and independence while learning to concentrate and to enjoy sharing as part of a group. Communication, language and literacy: Learn about communicating with one another and develop skills in talking, listening, writing and reading. Mathematical development: Use ideas about number, quantity, measurement, shape and space. Knowledge and understanding of the world: Investigate and begin to understand the things, places and people around them. Physical development: Improve control and coordination of their bodies while learning to move and to handle equipment. Creative development: Find ways to communicate by using colour, shape, sound, texture, movement and stories. The outdoor environment is also a very special part of the Foundation Stage curriculum. As such, the Early Years classes have their own playground and specially equipped outdoor area. We feel it is important to provide a fun, safe and caring environment that gives children lots of different experiences to help them learn through play. We have excellent resources and an experienced and caring Early Years team, who will work with you and your children to support your child's development and learning. Within our Early Years classes, non-English speaking children are sensitively supported within the classroom environment. Children are always encouraged to listen to and speak in English, and are given the opportunity to perform songs to parents and classmates throughout the year. |