Foundation 1

 

Welcome to F1!

In Early Years, we aim to provide a stimulating and exciting learning environment that promotes a love of learning and gives all our children opportunities to explore, gaining new skills every day as we learn through play.

In Foundation 1 the children explore through play as well as independent learning. They will have a year full of opportunities to develop academically as well as socially, in line with our school values. Here at St Joseph’s we have developed an Early Years Curriculum that is tailored to meet your children’s needs. It is purposefully designed and adapted in line with our curriculum intent with plenty of experiences to engage and inspire.

The Team

The Foundation 1 Teacher is Miss Howard, who is supported by teaching assistant Mrs Collinson.

Times of the day

8.45am- Gates open

10.00am- Snack time

11.45am- Hometime

Our Curriculum

In F1, children will build on their experiences from our 2 year old provision and their homes and take part in a wide variety of multi-sensory activities in both the inside and outdoor classrooms. Learning opportunities are planned predominately around the children’s interests, wants and needs.  This allows us to provide individualised learning for each child. We provide many practical experiences too such as, baking, role play, sand and water and physical play. Alongside this there will be regular phonics, maths and reading sessions.  We provide a balance between teacher and child led activities and in addition we arrange both visits and visitors to help enrich the curriculum.

The EYFS Framework (2021) explains how and what children in our EYFS will be learning to support their development. Our EYFS pupils learn skills, acquire new knowledge and demonstrate their understanding through seven areas of learning and development.

All areas of learning and development are important and inter-connected.

There are three prime areas which are crucial for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning and for helping their capacity to learn.

  • Communication and Language
  • Physical Development
  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development

There are then four specific areas, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied.

  • Literacy
  • Mathematics
  • Understanding the World
  • Expressive Arts and Design

We will ensure that:

  • teaching and learning activities engage and motivate children to learn, and foster their curiosity and enthusiasm for learning
  • there are focused activities to support, develop and extend children’s learning at their own pace
  • children are given opportunities to develop their own ideas, thoughts and opinions about their play activities
  • activities are extended/modified according to what the children like/find tricky
  • there are strong links between home and school
  • parental partnership in their children’s learning is recognised, valued and developed.

Follow the links to read the EYFS Statutory Framework.

Non Statutory guidance:

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PE

Foundation 1 will have P.E. on Wednesday with Mr McGovern.

Your child must come to school wearing their full P.E kit. Ideally this should consist of

  • T-shirt/top
  • Hooded/zip up jacket/sweatshirt,
  • tracksuit/jogging bottoms/leggings,
  • Socks
  • Old/cheap trainers (preferably not pumps as PE will be held outside as much as possible.)

 

Remember children should not wear expensive clothes as there is risk of them getting torn or muddy during outdoor PE sessions.

 Story Time

At story time they will be listening to stories from our 'Star Books’. These are a selection of reading for pleasure books carefully chosen to help children develop the love of reading!

 Phonics

 At St Joseph's we follow the Read Write Inc programme. This half term the children will be learning Set 1 sounds and orally blending. Please see our Early Reading and Phonics tab to find out more.

RE

In RE we follow the ‘The Way, The Truth and The Life’ syllabus.