At St. Alban’s the Nursery and Reception classes follow the Early Years Foundation Stage framework (EYFS). This curriculum is based upon four themes and principles.
Unique Child – Every child is a unique child who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self assured.
Positive Relationships – Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships.
Enabling Environments – Children learn and develop well in enabling environments, in which their experiences respond to their individual needs and there is a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and carers.
Learning and Development – Children develop and learn in different ways. The framework covers the education and care of all children in early years provision, including children with special educational needs and disabilities.
There are 3 prime areas and 4 specific areas of learning in the Foundation Stage framework curriculum.
Prime Areas
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Communication and Language
- Physical Development
Specific Areas
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts and Design
In the Prime Areas children will learn to:-
- Share, take turns and develop respect for each other.
- Make friends and become confident independent learners.
- Behave appropriately when playing with others.
- Listen to others and understand spoken language.
- Learn new words rapidly and use them in conversations.
- Join in conversations with adults and children.
- Develop control of their bodies using both large scale movements such as running and jumping, and small scale movements such as holding pencils and using scissors.
In the Specific Areas:-
- Enjoy sharing books and stories with adults and friends.
- Read words and simple sentences (Reception/FS2 children).
- Draw, make marks, write letters and words.
- Count accurately groups of objects and recognise numerals.
- Add, subtract and problem solve during practical activities.
- Use everyday language to talk about size, weight, capacity, distance, time and money.
- Look closely at how things work, why things happen, living things and the natural world.
- Use ICT equipment, e.g.. programmable toys and computers.
- Be imaginative, sing songs, dance and create fantastic models, drawings and paintings.
Your child will take part in a wide range of activities, both indoors and outdoors. Your child will learn through activities he or she has chosen, or from those that are led by an adult. Children in the Foundation Stage learn through play based activities that are fun and enjoyable. These activities are supported by caring adults who will work closely with you to ensure your child makes progress. We keep careful progress records for each child which are linked to the Development Matters in the Foundation Stage Guidance. Parents are actively encouraged to contribute to their child’s learning profiles.
How you can help your child
- Encourage and praise them because they need to feel successful
- Look at their work and help them with their homework where necessary
- Come into school whenever you can – such as assemblies, fayres, play and stay sessions. Children really love to see you in school
- Always encourage your child to take pride in their work
- Take time to share a book with them – take them to the library regularly. Talk about what they are reading at school.
- Encourage good manners and respect at all times to everyone in and out of school
How you can help your school
- Ensure that all contact information is up to date
- Make sure that we are aware of any medical problems
- Let us know immediately if you child is absent
- Let us know if you have a change in home circumstances – this information will kept confidential
- Make sure your child is in school on time every day
- Send your child into school in the correct school uniform
- Send your child in with their PE kits
- Make sure that everything is named clearly
- If there is a change in the person collecting your child, please let us know.
When families support their children with their learning they make better progress, so we are very keen to get you involved in school life wherever possible.
Parents drop their children off in Nursery (FS1) each morning from 8.45am, so that we can start our day.
In Reception (FS2) we encourage parents to leave their child at the door to foster independence. Reception (FS2) parents will drop off each morning from 8.45am, so that we can start our day. There are fayres and shows, sports days, celebration assemblies, curriculum mornings and church services to which parents are welcomed.
At St. Alban’s we try to work closely with each pupil’s family to ensure that all of their needs are met. We have a strong team of staff to carry out this role. St. Alban’s has an open door policy, so please feel free to pop in to discuss any queries/concerns. The best time is usually after school as mornings are a little rushed.
Nursery (FS1)
Morning hours- 8:40-11:40am
Afternoon hours 12:00-3:00pm Times for 30 hours children – 8:40- 3:00pm
Reception (FS2)
Morning – 8.45 am – 3.00 pm