Foundation Phase (Reception)

(In September 2009, a new curriculum called The Foundation Framework comes into place in Reception and in Y1 & Y2 in the following years - See below for details)

 

In Reception we encourage the children to explore, experiment and discover. By involving the children in a wide range of activities we enable them to develop the skills neccessary for effective communication and to become independent learners.

The children learn through a variety of practical activities that promote and extend their development and allow them to develop positive relationships.

 

Reception children on a pirate treasure hunt around Trellech - April 2009

 

Reception children on a Kenya safari around the school grounds during multicultural week 2009

 

 

 

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The Foundation Phase - September 2009

 

What is the Foundation Phase?

The Foundation Phase is the new curriculum for 3 to 7-year-olds. It combines what we currently call the Reception (from 4-5 yrs) and Key Stage 1 of the National Curriculum (5 to 7). The Foundation Phase will create one phase in children’s education that will have one curriculum and one approach to learning. At Trellech we have been following the Foundation theory and 'way of doing it' for a few years now as we always believed it was the best way that children learn.

 

What will children learn?

There are seven Areas of Learning:

• Personal and Social Development and Well-being;• Language, Literacy and Communication Skills;• Mathematical Development;• Bilingualism and Multi-cultural Understanding;• Knowledge and Understanding of the World;• Physical Development; and• Creative Development.

 

The Foundation Phase places great emphasis on developing children’s:

• skills and understanding;• personal, social, emotional, physical and intellectual well-being so as to develop the whole child;• positive attitudes to learning so that they enjoy learning and will want to continue with their education for longer;• self-esteem and self-confidence to experiment, investigate, learn new things and form new relationships;• creative and expressive skills and observation to encourage their development as individuals with different ways of responding to experiences; and• activities in the outdoors where they can have first-hand experience of solving real problems in aspects such as mathematics and science and learn about conservation and sustainability.

 

How do the children learn?

The Foundation Phase places great emphasis on children learning by doing. Young children should be given more opportunities to gain first hand experiences through play and active involvement rather than by completing exercises in books. For example mathematics should be more practical so that children can see

how problems are solved and how important mathematics is in their everyday lives. There should be more emphasis on children understanding how things work and on finding different ways to solve problems.

 

Do the children still learn to read and write?

In the Foundation Phase emphasis is placed on developing children’s speaking and listening skills that set a solid basis for the development of reading and writing. Many young children enter education unable to talk about their feelings and experiences.

These children are not motivated to read and write and see little value in the activities. Children who can share their feelings and talk about their experiences are far more motivated to record their thoughts and to read what others have written. It is important therefore, that all children learn to speak about their experiences and to listen to others so that they will want to develop the skills of reading and writing. If children enter education with well developed speaking and listening skills then staff will support them in moving forward. What will be important is that children are given the experiences that respond to their needs that will help them to learn successfully.

 

Why is the outdoors important?

The Foundation Phase places great importance on staff using the outdoors as another classroom where children can work on a daily basis. There are many reasons for encouraging children to use the outdoors such as:

• children’s health and fitness benefit from running, jumping and skipping outside and using toys and equipment that cannot be used inside;• children can experience nature at first hand - how the weather changes and how plants and animals react to the different seasons;• problem solving can relate to real experiences such as, how to move logs from one area to another;• children can experience aspects such as conservation and sustainability at first hand; and• they can develop a love of nature and undertaking activities out of doors.

 

If you would like to find out more about the Foundation Phase for children from 3 to 7 you can access further information at: www.learning.wales.gov.uk/foundationphase