EYFS
Welcome!
At Wilcombe we run a Foundation Unit which provides education and care for children aged 3-5 years old. It is a fully integrated nursery and reception unit staffed by specially trained early years practitioners. The children work at their own pace through the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum without any major upheaval between nursery and reception years. We are very proud of our play based curriculum designed to reflect the children’s interests and needs whilst developing positive attitudes toward learning.
Foundation Unit Team
Mrs Becky Gibson – Foundation stage Teacher
Mrs Kelly Triggs- Learning support Assistant- NVQ 3
Mrs Racghael Bennet- Learning support Assistant- NVQ 3
Mrs Amy De Viell-Learning Support Assistant (Starting 06/06/16)
Miss Amber Reed – Learning Support Assistant (Starting 06/06/2016)
A major benefit of working as a Unit is that children are able to work on adult lead activities that are appropriate for their stage of development. We can arrange groupings so that children learn what they need to learn, when they are ready to learn it. Nursery children may work alongside Reception children if is appropriate and vice versa. Groupings are more flexible to benefit the children and staff can provide opportunities that are challenging and meet individual needs.
Parental involvement
Parents are encouraged to be involved in their child’s education. We want them to feel welcome in the unit at all times. At the start of the day, they are encouraged to stay with their child and work with them from 8.30- 8.50 a.m. Activities are set up for this time, such as puzzles, sharing books and number and listening games. This also gives the opportunity to look at displays on the wall and talk to staff. Of course, we appreciate that some parents will be unable to stay due to work commitments.
Whilst in the Foundation unit children have their own Learning Journey. In this book we collect photos, observations and independent pieces of work. It is also vital that we have parental input into these learning journeys. Each week we send home ‘wow slips’ for parents to write down any information or achievements that they would like to add to their child’s learning journey.
At the end of the EYFS – in the summer term of the reception year in school – teachers complete an assessment which is known as the EYFS Profile. This assessment is carried out by the Reception teacher and is based on what they, and other staff caring for your child, have observed over a period of time.
Nursery Sessions
Nursery children can attend either morning or afternoon sessions.
Morning 08.45- 11.45
Afternoons 12.00 -15.00 Send your child with a packed lunch or order a school dinner
If parents require full days of Nursery provision we can offer this in partnership with Park Hill Nursery. For more information on what they offer please click here: http://www.parkhilldaycare.co.uk/
Admissions
If you would like your child to attend our Foundation Unit please visit the ladies in the office who will be happy to provide you with the relevant forms. Once you have completed the forms we will need to take a photocopy of your child’s birth certificate for our records and will place them on our waiting list.
Nursery children start the term after they turn 3 and we will contact you the term before to arrange a home visit. Home visits are a great opportunity for us to meet you and your child away from the busy hustle and bustle of the classroom. At the home visit we will arrange some visit dates during which you and your child can come and play for an hour to meet our staff and children.
The curriculum
The EYFS Framework explains how and what your child will be learning to support their healthy development.
Your child will be learning skills, acquiring new knowledge and demonstrating their understanding through 7 areas of learning and development.
Children should mostly develop the 3 prime areas first. These are:
- Communication and language;
- Physical development; and
- Personal, social and emotional development.
These prime areas are those most essential for your child’s healthy development and future learning.
As children grow, the prime areas will help them to develop skills in 4 specific areas.
These are:
- Literacy;
- Mathematics;
- Understanding the world; and
- Expressive arts and design.
These 7 areas are used to plan your child’s learning and activities. The professionals teaching and supporting your child will make sure that the activities are suited to your child’s needs. It’s designed to be really flexible so that staff can follow your child’s unique needs and interests.
How can you help?
Children in the EYFS learn by playing and exploring, being active, and through creative and critical thinking which takes place both indoors and outside
All the fun activities that you do with your child at home are important in supporting their learning and development, and have a really long lasting effect on your child’s learning as they progress through school.
Even when your child is very young and is not yet able to talk, talking to them helps them to learn and understand new words and ideas. If you make the time every day to do some of the following things with your child it will make a real difference to your child’s confidence as a young learner.
- Talk to your child at every opportunity
- On trips to the supermarket, talk about the different packaging shapes
- Share stories
- Sing and tell nursery rhymes
- Talk about the numbers, colours and letters you see when you are out and about
- Cutting and sticking from magazines
- Plant seeds and bulbs in pots or in garden patch
- Discuss the weather to extend your child’s vocabulary
Clothing
Children are expected to wear a full school uniform as soon as they start their reception year. In addition, reception children are expected to wear a PE from the summer term. Details about uniform can be found on our Uniform page.
Children are able to play outside every day and the doors are open to enable them to do. Therefore they will need to have warm clothes, a coat , hat and gloves every day in the winter and a sun hat and sunscreen every day in the summer.
Snack Time
We offer children a snack of fruit and milk everyday. This is funded through government schemes and there is no charge. We aim to encourage the children’s independence and therefore give them the opportunity to pour their own drink and select their own fruit.