Horse Shoes Lane  Sheldon  Birmingham  B26 3HU

Christ is the centre of our school community where we live, love and learn together

Foundation Stage

Welcome to St Thomas More Foundation Stage, where the children are welcomed into a warm, secure and friendly environment in which they can develop as independent learners.

The programme of learning in the Foundation Stage is outlined in the national Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum document. Children work within six areas of learning. The Curriculum is delivered through teacher led and child initiated activities and includes a large element of learning through play, both indoors and outdoors. These activities are designed to help children develop their; social interaction, speaking, investigative, questioning, thinking, counting, reading and writing skills.

The six areas of learning are as follows:

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

In Reception children become valued members of a community where strong self-image and self-esteem are promoted. They learn to work and play co-operatively and develop positive relationships with other children and adults.

Communication, Language and Literacy

This area of learning covers:

• Language for Communication and thinking
• Linking sounds and letters
• Reading
• Writing

In Reception we provide a stimulating environment in which the children are given the opportunity to listen and respond to a variety of stories, songs, nursery rhymes, poems and take part in role-play activities with confidence. They will be encouraged to listen attentively and to talk about personal experiences. The children will be exposed to a wide range of books and taught how to handle them with care. They will be encouraged to discuss the texts, retell stories and make up stories of their own. The children will be introduced to the school reading scheme 'Oxford Reading Tree' and introduced to learning their letter and sounds using 'Jolly Phonics'.

In Reception the children are given the opportunity to write using a variety of different forms. This is through the use of role-play areas and writing table i.e. writing shopping lists, postcards, creating cards, letters, invitations etc

Problem Solving, Number and Reasoning

This area of learning covers:

• Numbers as labels and counting
• Shape, Space and Measure
• Calculating

Through practical activities the children will be encouraged to use the vocabulary of addition, subtraction and solving simple problems. They will experience counting games and activities, number rhymes, songs and stories. They will begin to use mathematical understanding to solve practical problems

Knowledge and Understanding of the World

In this area of learning, children are developing the crucial knowledge, skills and understanding that help them to make sense of the world. This form the foundation for later work in Science, Design and Technology, History, Geography, Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

Physical Development

Physical Development in the Foundation Stage is about improving skills of co-ordination, control, manipulation and movement. Physical Development has two other very important aspects. It helps the children to gain confidence in what they can do and enables them to feel the positive benefits of being healthy and active.

Creative Development

Creativity is fundamental to successful learning. Being creative enables children to make connections between one area of learning and another and so extend their understanding. This area of learning includes art, music, dance, role-play and imaginative play.

 

Parents as Partners

We see parents as partners in children's learning. We value parents' opinions and the information they can give us, and we involve them whenever possible.

• Parents are invited to class assemblies and Masses and celebration meetings;
• We offer home activities for parents and children to work on together i.e. reading, language and number work;
• Children are given weekly library books which parents are encouraged to share with their children at home;
• Parents are encouraged to join in trips and visits within the community;
• Newsletters are circulated to parents on a regular basis.

Within our Foundation Stage your child takes their first steps into the world of education. It is a walk full of exciting opportunities and activities.

Miss T Mc Grory
Early Years Leader