The Foundation Phase

Learning in the Foundation Phase

The Foundation Phase is a new approach to the education and care of 3 to 7 year olds, combining what is currently called Early Years Education (for 3 - 5 year olds) and Key Stage 1 of the National Curriculum (for 5 - 7 year olds), with the aim of bringing more consistency and continuity to the child's education at a very important period in their development.

Click on the image below to download either the English or Welsh version of the Welsh Assembly Government's guide or read on to find out more about the Foundation Phase in Torfaen.

The Foundation Phase is currently being introduced in all nursery classes in Wales in September 2008 and children will follow this curriculum throughout the infant school. It will be introduced in Reception classes in September 2009, Year 1 in 2010 and Year 2 in 2011. Children will progress through the curriculum at their own pace and the development of the childrens's self esteem is very important.

The Foundation Phase aims to enhance the learning experiences which enable children to be creative, imaginative and have fun whilst learning. The curriculum focuses on the developmental stages through which each child progresses, placing greater emphasis on experiential learning and active involvement to develop the following:

• Skills and understanding.

• Personal, social, emotional, physical and intellectual well-being.

• Positive attitudes to learning so the child will want to continue its education for longer.

• Self-esteem and self-confidence to experiment and learn new things.

• Creative, expressive and observational skills.

• Out-door activities where the child has first hand experience of solving real-life problems.

The Foundation Phase has been designed to help all children flourish, whatever their stage of development or learning ability. It promotes discovery and independance, and places emphasis on using the outdoor environment as a resource for children's learning.

The Seven Areas of Learning

The curriculum is built around seven Areas of Learning, where stimulating, structured play activities can be woven into the learning experience:

• Personal and social development, well being and cultural diversity.

Focuses on children learning about themselves and their relationships with other children and adults, encouraging them to develop self-esteem, personal beliefs and moral values. Also helps children to gain a positive awareness of their own and other cultures.

• Language, literacy and communication skills.

Focuses on children being immersed in language experiences and activities, developing skills through talking, communicating and listening. They are encouraged to communicate by asking questions, expressing opinions, reacting to situations and making choices, and encouraged to listen and respond to others. They have opportunities to choose reading materials, and are given a wide range of opportunities to enjoy mark making and writing experience.

• Mathematical development.

Focuses on children developing their knowledge and understanding of mathematics by problem solving. They use numbers in daily activities and develop a range of methods for working mentally with numbers in order to solve problems. They investigate the properties of shape and sort, match, sequence and compare objects and create simple patterns and relationships.

• Welsh language development.

Focuses on children learning to communicate in Welsh to the best of their ability. Skills are developed through communication in a range of planned activities, using a range of stimuli.

• Knowledge and understanding of the world.

Focuses on children experiencing the familiar world through enquiry and investigation. They are given experiences to increase their curiosity about the world around them, and to learn to demonstrate care, responsibility and respect for other living things and their environment.

• Physical development.

Focuses on helping children use their bodies effectively by encouraging spatial awareness, balance, control and coordination and developing motor and manipulative skills. They are encouraged to enjoy physical activity, and introduced to the concepts of health, hygeine and the importance of diet, rest, sleep and exercise.

• Creative development.

Focuses on children developing their imagination and creativity through activities in art, craft, music, dance and movement. Their natural curiosity is stimulated by everyday sensory experiences.

To find out more, go to The Foundation Phase or contact your child's school.

Torfaen Council Maintained Nursery Schools

Torfaen has 3 nursery schools and 16 nursery classes attached to infant or primary schools. It is the Authority's policy to admit children to its' nursery schools and nursery units (known as maintained nurseries) from the beginning of the school year in which their fourth birthday falls (i.e. between 1st September and 31st August). Places are allocated on a part-time basis (morning or afternoon sessions only) for five days per week. In certain limited circumstances, full-time placements have been offered.

If you choose for your child to attend a nursery in the voluntary to private sector which is approved by the Care Standards Inspectorate for Wales, and registered as an education provider by the LEA, the Authority will fund your child's placement on a part-time basis (minimum of 10 hours over five sessions per week). The level of funding will be comparable with that of a four year old in a maintained provision. Where a child attends a private day nursery, parents will be responsible for any additional payments over and above the funding allocated by the LEA. If there are places / funding available, children can be admitted from the term following their third birthday.

If your child will become three years of age in the Autumn of 2008 or the spring of 2009, and you would be interested in your child being admitted to a maintained or registered / voluntary sector nursery at the beginning of the term following your child's third birthday, then please speak to the LEA admissions team on 01633 647344 or contact your local Family Information Service on 0800 0196330 who will be able to advise you further and provide a full list of the registered education providers in Torfaen.