All settings and schools that receive grant funding for the education of children aged 3 to 5 are required to plan activities & experiences that help children make progress in their development & learning. The philosophy underpinning the Foundation Stage curriculum is that learning should be carefully planned and structured, with an emphasis on activities that are fun, relevant and motivating for each child. Practitioners delivering the Foundation Stage curriculum therefore support children’s learning through planned play and extending and developing children’s spontaneous play. The Foundation Stage Curriculum is organised into the following six areas of learning:
- Personal, social and emotional development.
- Communication, language and literacy.
- Mathematical development.
- The development of knowledge and understanding of the world.
- Physical development.
- Creative development.
Evidence confirms that children do better when parents understand more about the learning and teaching that takes place in the early years setting their child attends and are better able to support learning in the home. The Sure Start Unit has produced a 'Foundation Stage Information Pack for Parents' to provide more information. The following is available:
- A video - The Foundation Stage video was filmed in a range of early years settings and shows learning and teaching in all six areas of learning. The video has been broken down into 10 short clips that explain the structure of the Foundation Stage curriculum, its areas of learning, stepping stones and early learning goals.
- A leaflet - The Foundation Stage leaflet has been designed for parents. The leaflet summarises the main messages of the video and provides guidance and information about where additional information can be found. It is available in different languages.
Click for details of the information pack on the Sure Start Website [external link]