Foundation Stage Unit 2015-2016
Our staff Mr Alex Harrison Foundation Stage Coordinator Responsible for the overall management of the Foundation Stage Unit Class teacher of the Lions FS2 group
Our staff Ms Aimee Bentinck Part-time Foundation Stage teacher Mrs Lesley Eichel Part-time Foundation Stage teacher Class teachers of the Tigers FS1 class
Our Staff Tereza Vinopalova Ms Eva
Teaching assistants Mrs Yayoi Vender Mrs Jana Lipovsekova Ms Kristina Cesalkova Miss Monika Hermanova
Prime Areas Personal, Social and Emotional Development Self confidence and self awareness Managing feelings and behaviour Making relationships Communication and Language Listening and attention Understanding Speaking Physical Development Moving and Handling
Literacy Reading Writing Specific Areas Mathematics Numbers Shape, space and measures Understanding the world People and communities The World Technology Expressive arts and design
Learning Through Play Through play children discover new things about the world they live in. Children need to be interested in what they are learning and enjoy what they are doing. They develop new skills and build new relationships. We use the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum and ensure our activities are child led, and tailored to each individual child s needs. We will also be using numbers, developing language, looking at books, investigating the real world and using a variety of tools. We will be cooking, planting seeds, making things from everyday items, making cards, junk models and exploring our world by introducing each other s cultures through stories, clothes, pictures and foods. All areas of the EYFS are taught cross curriculum throughout the day.
Plan of the day `A little insight into what happens in the Foundation Stage during the day!`
Plan of The Day 8.15am 8.45am: staggered start + independent activities, communication time 8.45am 9.30am: tidy, circle time + follow up activities 9.30am - 10.30am snack and outside play 10.30am 12.00pm: circle and/or follow up activities 12.00pm 1.00 pm: lunchtime + playtime 1.00pm 2.45pm: circle time + follow up activities 2.45pm - snack & closing circle 2.45pm 3.00pm staggered finish, communication time
Drop Off The children arrive at school any time from 08.15 am until 08.45 am. Parents are encouraged to bring their child into the classroom or outside and quickly settle them before saying goodbye. Teachers encourage the children to choose an activity to complete with their friends.
Circle times We have circle times every day Take the register Do a dance, sing a song, discuss the day We also have focus circle times, e.g.: literacy, numeracy or IPC
IPC Focus Activities We have frequent circle times where the focus is the current IPC unit, which will be followed up by related activities. Although the children can choose the activities they wish to complete, the guided activities ensure that each child receives a broad and balanced curriculum throughout the year. IPC topics 2015-2016: Family and Friends Food Bears Transport Flowers and Plants Changes
Focused Activities & Independent Play Sessions A range of activities are available at any one time for the children to engage in. Some of these are teacher-led or teacherinitiated activities, and each may be an inside- or outside- based learning activity. The children choose which activity they would like to start at and have opportunities through the week to complete them. Each guided activity is carefully adapted to ensure all children benefit at their own level.
Focused Activities & Independent Learning All teachers talk in English and the children are encouraged to communicate in English so no child or teacher is excluded. We try to support children in their own language if needed. Children are encouraged to be independent in selecting free choice activities as well as taking drinks, using the toilet, putting on aprons etc. All children are expected to help make sure the classroom is tidy at the end of each session.
Snack 9.30 10.00 Children go to the toilet and wash their hands before eating their snack. Children are to bring a healthy snack from home. No nuts please, due to allergies. Hand held food preferred. Please label your child s snack box and water bottle with their name. We will leave food in the box so you can see if something is not eaten.
Lunch 12.00 12.30 The children are given soup, a main course and a dessert. Children are encouraged to try different foods. Please inform the teacher or Tereza in the office if your child will be having lunch from home or if your child has any allergies.
End of the day 2.30 2.45pm The children are given a drink and a small snack at the end of the day. If another adult is collecting your child please inform the teacher and provide a photocopy of their ID. FS2 children will be taken to their clubs.
Things to remember P.E. on a Monday afternoon for all children. Children should bring clothing that is suitable for games, shoes with non-marking soles and their house t-shirt. Library books will be changed once a week, check with your teacher.
Examples of Activities
Tapestry We are very pleased that we will be introducing new online learning journeys. Using a piece of educational software called Tapestry every child in FSU will have their own individual learning journey. Tapestry online learning journeys allow you to view your child s observations, videos and photographs from their time at school By logging on with a secure username and password you will be able to access your child s journey. Parents are only able to view their own child s journal and all information is stored on a highly secure server, which is monitored closely. We know how much your children like to bring home their work to show you, therefore we will also maintain a Learning Journey book for pieces of work, as well as some photographs and other valuable memories from the school year. Tapestry allows you, as your child s primary educator, to add observations and photographs of your own, as well as share your comments. We love to hear about learning and activities that your child has particularly enjoyed doing, as well as other exciting moments from home. Because children play in close proximity with their friends it does not reflect a true picture of their time in school if photographs are only of a single child. Therefore photographs of your child may appear on their friends learning journeys.
Mathematics During Mathematics circle times the children may work together or in smaller groups, working with a teacher or teaching assistant. Mathematics learning focus Working with numbers. Recite, count accurately, recognise and write numbers. Problems involving addition and subtraction. Recognising shapes and their properties. Understand and use the vocabulary related to length, weight and capacity. Use money in realistic situations.
Language & Literacy In the FSU a lot of emphasis is placed on communicating in English and developing language skills. This is done continuously, and through games, activities and circle times. We work with a phonics programme mainly in the FS2 group. Writing emerges through many activities linked to fine motor skills, mark making, and attempting to write letters using phonic knowledge. When children are on the reading scheme we change their reading books regularly, but not just after reading it once. All children have the opportunity to choose a library book to take home once a week. Every day the children get the opportunities to listen to stories.