Foundation Stage 1

We emphasise exploratory self-directed learning rooted in meaningful play

Foundation Stage 1 (FS1) is an exciting year at Durham, where we emphasise exploratory self-directed learning rooted in meaningful play. Children in FS1 have the time and space to explore, to investigate, question, collaborate and play out all the experiences that underpin a love of lifelong learning. Students learn actively though a balance of child-initiated and teacher-led activities specifically designed for social, physical, cognitive and emotional development.

The school day comprises fun-filled activities including arts and crafts, construction, and small world play. Playing with blocks, jigsaws, and shape sorters lay the foundations of spatial thinking, logical reasoning, ordering, and recognising various shapes, sizes, and colours.

Children are immersed in a language rich environment of speaking and listening, reading and writing to develop their early literacy skills. Awareness of individual sounds and a love of listening to and telling stories is fostered through daily activities and the book corner. Teachers provide children plenty of opportunities to use their emerging reading and writing skills in meaningful ways, like the provision of mark making opportunities to create menus, recipes, lists and signs.

Children are encouraged to explore numbers and patterns in creative ways, and through sensory play the building blocks of science and investigation are ignited. FS1 classes move freely between indoor and outside learning spaces and children are in constant interaction with their environment, manipulating objects, making predictions and asking questions.

Active learning through scooping, digging, pouring and sifting in sand and water play give children the opportunity to independently explore how things work, developing the foundations of problem solving and critical thinking skills. Through role-play children are encouraged to extend their imagination, make believe, and create stories together. Role play helps children begin to make sense of the roles of people around them as well as boosting social interaction.

Children are encouraged to develop social skills such as listening, discussing and interacting with friends. Starting to learn to do things for themselves, such as washing hands, encourages independence and develops confidence in children in FS1.

We emphasise exploratory self-directed learning rooted in meaningful play

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