Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1
What is the Early Years Foundation Stage?
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) comprises of two year groups: Nursery (ages 3-4) and Reception (ages 4-5). The curriculum is delivered through the framework of the EYFS which became statutory in England in September 2008 and incorporates all existing frameworks for children from birth to five. It was introduced to ensure consistency amongst providers of child care from birth to ensure that students have solid foundations for future learning.
How is the EYFS curriculum delivered?
At BSM we have adopted the key principles of EYFS, enabling us to focus on the holistic development of each child and equip them with the strongest of foundations on which to build their future learning. We provide a safe, caring and stimulating environment allowing each child to develop simultaneously in each of six areas of learning. Through the organisation of the curriculum, and the carefully planned school day, we seek to promote a rich and varied environment which gives children the confidence to explore and learn in secure and safe, yet challenging indoor and outdoor spaces. The ‘themes’ for study are chosen in conjunction with the children and the direction of these themes is led by the children’s interests. In Reception and Key Stage 1 the programme also includes specialist-taught Music, Swimming and PE.
Some of the highlights in EYFS include special ‘theme days’ such as ‘Pet Day’ in Nursery and ‘Diwali Day’ in Reception. In addition, the children experience a host of activities through primary school focus weeks such as ‘Book Week’ and ‘British Philippine Culture Week.’ The children also have the opportunity to visit local places of interest which support and bring to life subjects studied in the classroom, such as a recent visit by Reception to a life size dinosaur exhibition in the locality.
Teachers at BSM implement the EYFS by meeting the diverse needs of students through a well structured framework divided into developmental stages which allows children to progress at a rate appropriate to their stage of development. Children at this age learn in many different ways and teachers provide opportunities where children encounter experiences which deepen and consolidate their understanding by playing, talking, observing, planning, questioning, experimenting, testing, repeating, reflecting and responding to adults and each other.
At the core of the EYFS are the varied learning opportunities offered to children both indoors and outdoors. The spontaneous access to the outdoors for the children is crucial in meeting their educational needs and something which has been carefully considered here at BSM.
The Six Areas of Learning:
1. Personal, Social and Emotional Development
The children are learning to develop self-confidence, independence and friendships during their time in the EYFS. They learn that they should respect and care for each other, their belongings and their environment. Circle times give the children the opportunity to express their feelings and practice the verbal skills and listening skills necessary to get along with others and have fun!
2. Communication, Language and Literacy
The most important aspect of this area during the EYFS years is the development of good speaking and listening skills. The children are engaged in many dramatic play situations allowing them to use and develop their language skills. Thematic work allows them to enhance and extend their vocabulary, develop an interest in stories and non-fiction books and develop their writing skills related to areas of particular interest to them.
3. Creative Development
Creative development is fundamental to successful learning. Being creative enables children to express themselves and communicate their ideas, thoughts and feelings through imaginative play, movement, dance, designing and making, and a variety of songs and musical instruments.
4. Knowledge and Understanding of the World
In this area of learning, children are finding out more about the world they live in and people they encounter. Our themes are child-led and have recently included dinosaurs, polar animals, pets, growth and celebrations. The children have been involved in field trips to further develop their understanding of some of our themes and the wider world.
5. Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy
In this area the children become confident and competent learning key skills which include counting, sorting, matching, patterns and working with numbers, shapes, space and measures. The children are engaged in play based activities and games that help to develop their understanding in a fun and interesting way.
6. Physical Development
This area focuses on improving the children’s skills of coordination, control, manipulation and movement. They are also helped to understand the importance of being healthy and active. The children have weekly swimming sessions, daily access to the trikes and Early Years Foundation Stage climbing frame. They also engage in dance and PE and regularly visit the monkey bars and adventure playground.
Teacher/Parent partnership
Emphasis is on teachers and parents working in partnership to address the individual needs of each child and this is actively encouraged through the use of initial surveys, a home/school link book, regular meetings and a visible drop box allowing parents to inform the teachers of developments at home which can be used and incorporated into the planning.
Preparation for Key Stage 1
The program offered in the Early Years is designed to develop the key learning skills to better equip the children with the transition into Key Stage 1.
What is Key Stage 1?
Key Stage 1 comprises of two year groups: Year 1 (ages 5-6) and Year 2 (ages 6-7). The underlying aim is to further build on the foundations laid in EYFS and continue to provide a safe, secure and stimulating learning environment that encourages children to become confident in their own abilities.
How is Key Stage 1 delivered?
The children follow the English National Curriculum, sensitively adapted to meet the needs of the wide range of children at BSM and to incorporate local learning opportunities. The programme for Years 1 and 2 also includes specialist-taught Music, Swimming and PE.
The four ‘core’ subject areas are identified as being Information Communication Technology (ICT), Mathematics, English and Science. Alongside these are a number of ‘Foundation’ subjects.’ Children are taught through a combination of individual subjects and a cross-curricula approach, such as in Year 1 where the topic Houses and Homes embraces History, Geography, Science and Technology.
In Key Stage 1 the timetable naturally becomes more structured and we continue to plan a programme that is broad and balanced so that children are engaged, work hard yet continue to be challenged in a fun-filled environment. Whilst we regard the acquisition of traditional skills of reading, writing and numeracy as vital to their future learning, we are also aware of the importance of developing the ‘whole child.’ We aim to achieve this through lessons such as PSHE, ‘Building Learning Power’ and ‘Global Citizenship,’ amongst others which give the children opportunities to work collaboratively on a range of challenges which all serve to develop awareness and increase self esteem.
Whilst carefully planning learning opportunities to meet all children, teachers pay particular attention to developing speaking and listening skills, actively looking for cross-curricular links to further reinforce and consolidate understanding.
Each Key Stage 1 class has its own full time primary support assistant to provide additional support for activities within the classroom.
Some of the highlights in Key Stage 1 include special ‘topic theme days’ such as ‘Christianity Day’ and ‘Careers Day’ in Year 1 and ‘Holy Hai Day’ and ‘Mexican Day’ in Year 2. In addition, the children experience a host of activities through primary school focus weeks such as ‘Book Week’ and ‘British Philippine Culture Week.’ The children also have the opportunity to visit local places of interest which support and bring to life subjects studied in the classroom, such as the ‘Mexican’ kitchen in a local five star hotel in Year 2.
Throughout the year all children in Key Stage 1 take part in two class assemblies. These give the children the opportunity to showcase work they have been covering in class and to perform in front of an audience.
How do teachers implement the curriculum in Key Stage 1?
The ultimate focus in Key Stage 1 is on making the curriculum relevant, interesting and fun. Teaching and support staff aim to guide, encourage and challenge the children; all within a caring and supportive environment that promotes independent lifelong learning.
Teacher/Parent partnership
Throughout the Key Stage, there is an emphasis on teachers and parents working in partnership to address the individual needs of each child and this is actively encouraged through the use of a home/school link book, regular meetings and an open door policy allowing parents to discuss with teachers any domestic issue which may impact on their child’s learning.
Preparation for Key Stage 2
The program offered in Key Stage 1 is designed to develop the key learning skills to better equip the children with the transition into Key Stage 2. Learning provision across each key stage is carefully considered and policies and practices are constantly reviewed in regular key stage meetings to ensure continuity and progression.
