Foundation Stage news

The Foundation+ Department have had a busy term since Christmas.

We started the New Year learning about Winter weather as part of our topic work ‘Winter Days’. We explored ice and the effects of freezing in the nursery before taking our investigations out to Ogden Water for winter walks and to see icy conditions in an outdoor natural environment.

Our next topic was ‘Growth’ and, following a visit to the garden centre, we were able to buy seeds and compost for our planting activities as well as stock up on resources for our potting shed role play area. We have enjoyed watching our seeds grow although the weather this term hasn’t always been favourable for our outdoor investigations and so we intend to continue watching spring growth after the holidays. Some of us are hoping for beanstalks similar to the one in our special book this term ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’

 As part of developing the children’s’ understanding of healthy practices, we have begun a Toothbrushing programme in school in liaison with the Dental Service. The aim is to improve the oral health and life skills of pupils and encourage them to recognise the importance of keeping healthy and those things which contribute to this. It is going really well and is hopefully helping the children to become increasingly independent at home too!

Happy Holidays from all in Foundation!

Our Foundation Department offers the same curricular opportunities as those found in the best Foundation Stages in Bradford; all our planning and organisation is based on Early Learning Goals and agreed best Early Years Practice. Additionally, our pupils benefit from having support from adults who are skilled in developing children's use of BSL and English. We encourage maximum use of ICT as soon as possible and have software to support many areas of the curriculum. The planning is carefully balanced to include a mixture of adult-led and pupil initiated activities. We are also proud of our warm and relaxed atmosphere where children achieve high standards, become as independent as possible, whilst learning through fun-based activities. All Parents and Carers are invited to attend the weekly signing support groups and we also welcome Parents and Carers into the department to work together to enable their children to achieve age-appropriate standards. We aim to keep up to date with Deaf issues and current developments in mainstream education. We liaise closely with Bradford Early Years and Child Care Service and Bradford Support Service for Deaf Children. A small number of pupils (have multi-sensory impairments / are deafblind). They require a specialist approach emphasising the development of communication, social and independence skills, alongside other curriculum areas delivered as appropriate to individual needs. A tactile approach is used to afford access to alternative modes of communication and learning, and to reinforce signed communication. BSL signs are adapted and used alongside tactile symbols to promote the development of communication skills centred around daily routines and the particular interests of each child. The development of residual senses and compensatory skills is promoted and enhanced by opportunities to experience swimming lessons, aromatherapy, and experiential learning through regular outdoor education trips. Younger pupils benefit from use of the soft-play area and specially equipped multi-sensory room in the nursery department.