Foundation Stage

Literacy in the Early Years is approached through practical, inspiring activities and children are encouraged to talk and communicate their ideas. By the time they enter Reception many children can recognise some letters and words from the books they have shared at home. In Reception we will continue to develop the child’s reading skills through phonics teaching of the sounds (phonemes) and the written letters (graphemes). Each child will come home with individual reading books to enjoy at home and when they are ready, these will have simple cvc words for the children to begin to recognise, segment and blend the sounds. They also take home a book of the sounds covered so that they can continually revise their learning and share their success with their family. Tricky words are introduced in the second half of the first term and the children are encouraged to recognise these on sight. In addition, all children in Reception will choose a book for themselves from the school library. These are intended to be read with, or to, the child to support their love of reading and literature.

When learning the formation of the letters, children are taught to write using a cursive script with lower case letters always beginning ‘on the line’.

Positive communications and relations with those around them are crucial skills for the children to develop at all stages of their time at the Dragon. The children have ‘Show and Tell’ sessions where they talk about their special chosen object and are encouraged to use volume and clarity to ensure effective communication. In turn, the audience is encouraged to ask meaningful questions. They also keep a Learning Journal which they complete at home and share with their peers. With their Talking Partner, they practise conversation etiquette; listening, showing understanding and questioning with kindness and curiosity.

Children are encouraged to express themselves through role play, dance, building models, painting, drawing and singing. They have the opportunity to explore a wide variety of media and materials. Please make sure that you have plenty of wall space ready! There are twice weekly class music lessons with a specialist teacher, where the children experiment with their voices and instruments; they also learn many different songs in our year group weekly singing lesson.

This includes ICT, technology, history, geography and science, which are taught through different themes each half term. Topics are often chosen with reference to the children’s own interests. Children learn about the school grounds, their families, other countries and the world around them. Muddy Dragons is our Forest School experience with regular sessions exploring nature.

Computer skills are taught through a variety of programs both in the classroom and the ICT suite. Children are accustomed to using ICT throughout their learning and they make full use of cameras, iPads and the interactive whiteboard during the week.

We value each and every child as an individual, and provide a supportive environment where they learn to trust others, co-operate and develop self-confidence. Independence and responsibility for their own belongings are encouraged. The Dragon Values of Kindness, Courage and Respect are deeply rooted in our routines and learning and the children quickly become very familiar with their meanings and the expectations they engender. Children are taught how to use their ‘Personal Power’ to control their surroundings and interact with empathy with their peers. Weekly circle times give the children the vocabulary to express their feelings and concerns and to realise that others may have views which differ from their own. Choices and consequences are used to teach children that they can control their own behaviour and adapt it to that which is expected and to help parents to keep this message and language consistent at home, the school also runs courses for parents to help ensure consistent language is used both at home and at school.

The children have many opportunities to play, both indoors and outdoors. Activities include gym, dance, using small and large apparatus, games where children learn how to throw and catch, and work as part of a group. They have an exciting playground where they are encouraged to extend their skills and build their confidence by pushing themselves as they gain strength and maturity. Fine motor skills are practised daily to increase strength in the hands and the children are strongly encouraged to use a tripod pencil grip when holding any writing apparatus. This will provide them with the strength and stamina they need when they progress through the school and begin to write for sustained periods of time.

In mathematics children will experience a variety of activities which will teach them to count, sort objects, make and copy patterns, tell the time, recognise shapes and measure weight and height. For our number learning, we use resources such as Numicon and the programme Numberblocks, both of which provide effective foundations for the Inspire Maths scheme which begins in Year One. Our curriculum also focuses on the pictorial, concrete and abstract concept that Inspire maths is built upon. Most of our activities involve practical explorations of number and measure and the children really enjoy these opportunities to make their own mistakes, try new approaches and ultimately solidify their learning.