Foundation Phase
What is the new Foundation Phase?
The new Foundation Phase for children from 3 – 7 years will combine what we currently call the Early Years (from 3 to 5 years) and Key Stage 1 of the National Curriculum (5 to 7 years). This will create one phase in children’s education that will have one curriculum and one approach to learning.
When and where will the Foundation Phase begin?
The Foundation Phase is being introduced over a period of time through a rolling programme. The pilot began in September 2004 and will continue until September 2008. The pilot includes settings in schools and in voluntary and private nurseries and playgroups. The evidence gathered during the pilot has been used to make decisions about the ratio of adults to children, the amount of space required for young children to work and play and what are the best teaching and learning strategies for this age group.
All nursery children started following the Foundation Phase Curriculum from September 2008, Reception class children will start Foundation Phase in September 2009, Year 1 and Year 2 start Foundation Phase in September 2010 and 2011 respectively.
What will the children learn?
The curriculum for the new Foundation Phase will build on the current Desirable Outcomes for Children’s Learning Before Compulsory School Age and include aspects of the guidance for Key Stage 1 to form a new curriculum. The new curriculum will be developed under 7 areas of learning.
The 7 areas of Learning are:
- Personal and Social Development, Well Being and Cultural Diversity
- Language, Literacy and Communication Skills
- Mathematical Development
- Welsh Language Development
- Knowledge and Understanding of the World
- Physical Development
- Creative Development
The Foundation Phase places great emphasis on developing children’s:
- Skills and understanding
- Personal, social, emotional, physical and intellectual well-being so as to develop the whole child;
- Positive attitudes to learning so that they enjoy learning and will want to continue with their education for longer;
- Self-esteem and self-confidence to experiment, investigate, learn new things and form new relationships;
- Creative and expressive skills and observation to encourage their development as individuals with different ways of responding to experiences; and
- Activities in the outdoors where they can have first-hand experience of solving real problems in aspects such as mathematics and science and learn about conservation and sustainability.
How will children learn?
The Foundation Phase places great emphasis on children learning by doing. Young Children should be given more opportunities to gain first hand experiences through play and active involvement rather than by completing exercises in books. For example, mathematics should be more practical so that children can see how problems are solved and how important mathematics is in their everyday lives. There should be more emphasis on children understanding how things work and on finding different ways to solve problems.
Will children still learn to read and write at a time appropriate to their development?
In the Foundation Phase emphasis should be placed on developing children’s speaking and listening skills that will set a solid basis for the development of reading and writing. Many young children enter education unable to talk about their feelings and experiences. These children are not motivated to read and write and see little value in the activities. Children who can share their feelings and talk about the experiences are far more motivated to record their thoughts and to read what others have written. It is important therefore, that all children learn to speak about their experiences and to listen to others so that they will want to develop the skills of reading and writing.
If children enter education with well developed speaking and listening skills then staff will support them in moving forward. What will be important is that children are given the experiences that respond to their needs that will help them to learn successfully.
How will children’s progress be assessed?
It is proposed that the Foundation Phase will have an assessment continuum that will follow the child from birth to 7 years of age. Parents and agencies who work with young children and their families, such as health visitors and Sure Start workers, will be able to complete the assessment continuum before children enter education. The information provided will help staff to prepare an appropriate curriculum for children when they enter education. If children have a special need then an individualised curriculum could be planned to help them overcome their difficulties.
An initial assessment should be made when children enter education to determine what they can do and understand. This information will help to ensure that children’s first experience of education is appropriate to their stage of development and the activities and experiences planned for them will help them to move forward in their learning. Staff will assess children’s progress through observing them in their everyday activities and use the information to plan the next stage in their development.
Why is Welsh language and multi-cultural understanding included in the new curriculum?
The Welsh Assembly Government has made a commitment to creating a bilingual nation where Welsh and English are used equally. To achieve this it is essential that young children have increased opportunities to learn Welsh and to use the language in their everyday activities. Having two languages helps children to think creatively and flexibly and increases their cultural understanding. It should prepare them well for learning other languages.
Wales is an increasingly multi-cultural community. It is therefore essential that young children learn about the different cultures and to respect and celebrate the diversity of the different racial, cultural and religious traditions. It should help children to understand the influence that multi-culturalism has on their everyday lives.
Why is the outdoors important?
The Foundation Phase places great importance on staff using the outdoors as another classroom where children can work on a daily basis. There are many reasons for encouraging children to use the outdoors such as:
- Children’s health and fitness benefit from running, jumping and skipping outside and using toys and equipment that can not be used inside
- Children can experience nature at first hand, how the weather changes and how plants and animals react to the different seasons;
- Problem solving can relate to real experiences such as, how to move logs from one area to another;
- Children can experience aspects such as conservation and sustainability at first hand; and
- They can develop a love of nature and undertaking activities out of doors.
If you would like to find out more about the Foundation Phase for children from 3 to 7 years you can access further information at: www.learning.wales.gov.uk
Or by e-mailing:
FoundationPhaseInfo@wales.gsi.gov.uk