The Foundation Phase is a distinct curricular stage within the curriculum for Wales – a phase with its own separate character. It is tailored to suit the needs of young children whilst complementing and promoting learning at Key Stage 2.

 A number of documents support the delivery of the Foundation Phase curriculum. These include:

•  A Curriculum Framework
• An Assessment Framework
• Guidance Material.

 The Foundation Phase Curriculum Framework includes the following sections:

• Foundation Phase Curriculum Aims
• Foundation Phase Curriculum Objectives
• The Developing Child
• Continuum of Learning
• Areas of Learning

  Foundation Phase Curriculum Aims

 The Foundation Phase curriculum aims to excite and stimulate children’s learning, improve their attainment and to secure the best possible start for all children in Wales. It aims to provide a learning continuum in all areas of learning and development and flexibility to meet the diverse needs of all children. The curriculum aims to help children learn and develop their thinking skills and to acquire positive attitudes towards lifelong learning.

 Foundation Phase Curriculum Objectives

 The Foundation Phase curriculum objectives are to promote and provide support for children’s holistic development, through an appropriate child centred curriculum. Partnerships with the home and other agencies are fostered to assist with the smooth transition from home to school and to develop positive links and relationships that assist children in their learning throughout the Foundation Phase and on to the next key stage as confident learners.

 The Developing Child

 Educators must understand how children develop and plan an appropriate curriculum that takes account of children’s developmental needs and the skills that they need to grow to become confident learners. Account also needs to be taken of barriers to play, to learning and participation caused by physical, sensory, communication or learning difficulties. The importance of emotional development and well being must also be recognised. It should be acknowledged that children as young as thirty six months are very much at the early stages of their development. The experiences that the children have had before entering the school / setting need to be recognised and considered.

It is essential that children have access to a variety of media to express themselves and ample opportunities to apply their imagination in a purposeful way. Children acquire and develop skills at different rates and must be allowed to develop at their own unique, individual pace. As children learn new skills they should be given opportunities to practise them in different situations, to reflect on and evaluate their work. In all aspects of their development, children’s own work should be respected, valued and encouraged for its originality and honesty.

The following are the skills and development areas that adults will need to plan for across the curriculum to ensure that all aspects of children’s development are catered for. These skills and development areas sit alongside and lead the learning and teaching in the curriculum across the areas of learning, with personal and social development and well being at the centre.

 Areas of Learning

 Areas of learning have been identified to describe an appropriate curriculum for 3-7 year olds that supports the development of children and their skills, (The Developing Child). They must complement each other and work together to provide a cross curricular approach to form a practical relevant curriculum.  They should not be approached in isolation. Emphasis is placed on developing children’s skills across the areas of learning, to provide a suitable and integrated approach for young children’s learning.

 The seven areas of learning are:

•  Personal and Social Development and Well Being
• Language, Literacy and Communication Skills
• Mathematical Development
• Bilingualism and Multi-cultural Understanding
• Knowledge and Understanding of the World
• Physical Development
• Creative Development.

 More details about the Foundation Phase is available at the Nursery upon request.