Please click here for a parents guide to the EYFS:
www.foundationyears.org.uk/2015/03/what-to-expect-when-a-parents-guide/
www.foundationyears.org.uk/2015/03/what-to-expect-when-a-parents-guide/
Acorns Foundation Stage 1 & 2
We are passionate about providing the best start in life for your child in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Starting school and being in FS1 (Nursery) and FS2 (Reception) is a very exciting time for both parents and children. At Great Horwood School, children are offered the very best start to their education by being provided with rich opportunities and experiences. Our curriculum is based on the framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and we deliver this through a play-based approach. Although we have focused topics for each half term, our curriculum is organised in a way which meets each child's individual needs, interests and fascinations enabling the children to learn and develop at a pace matched to each child's stage of development.
We work hard to foster positive relationships with parents and value just how important these partnerships are. Right from the start, we endeavour to ensure that caring, nurturing and warm relationships are developed between all members of staff and the children in our care. We promote calm, positive interactions with all children in order to enable them to quickly grow in confidence and independence.
Our curriculum is created to encourage children to take risks, be curious and explore. We want them to become resilient individuals who are able to problem solve and persevere with tasks even when they find them a challenge. By doing this, we can rest assured that each child will be equipped with the skills to be a life-long, independent and effective learner.
We work hard to foster positive relationships with parents and value just how important these partnerships are. Right from the start, we endeavour to ensure that caring, nurturing and warm relationships are developed between all members of staff and the children in our care. We promote calm, positive interactions with all children in order to enable them to quickly grow in confidence and independence.
Our curriculum is created to encourage children to take risks, be curious and explore. We want them to become resilient individuals who are able to problem solve and persevere with tasks even when they find them a challenge. By doing this, we can rest assured that each child will be equipped with the skills to be a life-long, independent and effective learner.
Our Curriculum Topics
Autumn term
1. All About Me
2. Sparkle and Shine
Spring Term
1. Paws, Claws and Roars
2. Teeny and Tiny, Slippery and Slimy
Summer Term
1. Once Upon a World of Stories
2. Trekking for Treasure - 'Ahoy Me Hearties'
1. All About Me
2. Sparkle and Shine
Spring Term
1. Paws, Claws and Roars
2. Teeny and Tiny, Slippery and Slimy
Summer Term
1. Once Upon a World of Stories
2. Trekking for Treasure - 'Ahoy Me Hearties'
Phonics and Reading
We use the 'Jolly Phonic' scheme and the Letters and Sounds document to plan for phonics in Acorns.
FS1 (Nursery) follow phase 1 by listening to and making sounds, beginning to link them to the letters of the alphabet. Short focused group sessions are fun and interactive, establishing the foundations the children will need on their journey towards reading and writing.
FS2 (Reception) have daily phonics sessions. Phonics is learned through a multisensory approach, using sounds, actions, pictures and a variety of activities that support the learning of each letter and the sounds they make.The children then begin to learn to blend and segment small words.
Daily reading is really important. In school the children will be learning how to read letters then move onto small words and also how to enjoy books and retell stories. At home you can support these skills by sharing stories, identifying letters or words they might recognise, talking about characters and settings or listening to a story cd. Don’t forget that reading at home can be reading magazines, newspapers, Ipads, computers, kindles and information books such as maps and fact books. When appropriate, we will send home school levelled reading books and key words to practise. Each child chooses a library book once a week to share at home.
FS1 (Nursery) follow phase 1 by listening to and making sounds, beginning to link them to the letters of the alphabet. Short focused group sessions are fun and interactive, establishing the foundations the children will need on their journey towards reading and writing.
FS2 (Reception) have daily phonics sessions. Phonics is learned through a multisensory approach, using sounds, actions, pictures and a variety of activities that support the learning of each letter and the sounds they make.The children then begin to learn to blend and segment small words.
Daily reading is really important. In school the children will be learning how to read letters then move onto small words and also how to enjoy books and retell stories. At home you can support these skills by sharing stories, identifying letters or words they might recognise, talking about characters and settings or listening to a story cd. Don’t forget that reading at home can be reading magazines, newspapers, Ipads, computers, kindles and information books such as maps and fact books. When appropriate, we will send home school levelled reading books and key words to practise. Each child chooses a library book once a week to share at home.