Welcome to Heather Garth Foundation Stage!

Foundation Stage is made up of our Nursery (FS1) and our Reception class (FS2).  We work together to provide a caring and stimulating learning environment and to meet the needs of each individual child.  We are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning achieved through a combination of challenge, support, encouragement and praise.

Foundation Stage 2 is taught by Mr Fisher, who is also the EYFS Leader. In FS2 we aim to foster independence from the first day. Children are encouraged to do as much for themselves as they can, to support them to become independent learners. 

The Foundation Stage Unit has been designed and organised to promote positive engaging environments for children to learn in. Our outdoor area includes lots of opportunities to learn a variety of skills. Staff interact with children throughout the day to challenge, teach and model new knowledge, skills and vocabulary. 

Things you’ll need to know:

P.E 

Foundation Stage complete P.E every Monday morning. In the Autumn term no P.E Kit is needed. We start changing for P.E in the Spring term after Christmas. Details regarding kit will be shared nearer the time. 

Book Packs and Homework 

FS2 Book packs are changed on a Friday but please send your child’s backpack to school every day as we put letters from school and their pictures inside. We aim for children to read 4 times per week and encourage families to record this in their school planner. If they read 4 times and this is recorded in their planner, your child will recieve a raffle ticket for our school raffle draw each week. 

Your child will also bring home weekly homework. This homework will be linked to our focus in phonics to support reading and writing. This is sent out every Friday and should be returned the following Wednesday. 

Suitable clothing and footwear 

Your child will need a change of footwear for indoor use.  Pupils can wear pumps, crocs or slippers for indoor use, but NO big novelty slippers please.

Your child needs to wear the correct school uniform. Appropriate shoes for school are needed (no laces please, velcro shoes are ideal). We do try to go outside in all weathers, as this is a requirement of the EYFS curriculum. Please send your child in a practical, weather proof coat suitable for the weather of the day. 

Ideas to support with transition to school 

https://www.barnardos.org.uk/blog/five-things-do-your-child-they-start-school

https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/grownups/how-to-prepare-your-child-for-primary-school

https://vimeo.com/827222400

Links to support learning at home

Please find attached on this page, our song and rhymes books that support our learning in the Autumn, Spring and Summer terms. These include a focus on key festivals, the seasons and key themes throughout the year e.g. planting. 

Below are some useful websites to support learning at home e.g. games, information about Little Wandle, our Phonics scheme. 

https://www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/resources/for-parents/ - Information about our Phonics programme to support Early Reading and Writing skills 

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/Search.aspx?AgeGroup=1  - Games to support early Maths skills

https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/school-radio/articles/zhwdgwx - BBC Nursery Rhymes 

Overview of Study for FS2