FREE 30hr Nursery Provision 

15 hours free nursery provision is still available to all 3 and 4 year-old children.

Working parents can check their eligibility for a 30hr (full time) nursery place for their child by using the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/apply-30-hours-free-childcare

Please contact school to arrange a meeting and tour of our provision with our EYFS leader, Miss Nelson.

Learning in the Foundation Stage

At Belle Vale, the Early Years department is made up of Nursery and Reception classes. We have a dedicated team of experienced and caring adults who work very hard to ensure that all children get the very best start to their education- academically, personally and socially.

In Early Years we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage framework (2020).  This curriculum is based upon four themes and principles.

Unique Child - Every child is a unique child who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.

Positive Relationships - Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships.

Enabling Environments - Children learn and develop well in enabling environments, in which their experiences respond to their individual needs and there is a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and carers.

Learning and Development - Children develop and learn in different ways.  The framework covers the education and care of all children in early years provision, including children with special educational needs and disabilities.

The Curriculum

There are 3 prime areas and 4 specific areas of learning in the Foundation Stage framework curriculum.

Prime Areas

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Communication and Language

Physical Development

Specific Areas

Literacy

Mathematics

Understanding the World

Expressive Arts and Design

 What sort of things will children learn during the Foundation Stage?

In the Prime Areas children will learn to:-

Share, take turns and develop respect for each other.

Make friends and become confident independent learners.

Behave appropriately when playing with others.

Listen to others and understand spoken language.

Learn new words rapidly and use them in conversations.

Join in conversations with adults and children.

Develop control of their bodies using both large scale movements such as running and jumping and small scale movements such as holding pencils and using scissors.

In the Specific Areas:-

Enjoy sharing books and stories with adults and friends.

Read words and simple sentences (Reception children).

Draw, make marks and write letters and words.

Count accurately groups of objects and recognise numerals.

Add, subtract and problem solve during practical activities.

Use everyday language to talk about size, weight, capacity, distance, time and money.

Look closely at how things work, why things happen, living things and the natural world.

Use ICT equipment, e.g. programmable toys, computers and iPads to enhance learning throughout EYFS.

Be imaginative, sing songs, dance and create fantastic models, drawings and paintings.

What will children do during a Nursery or Reception class session?

Your child will take part in a wide range of activities, both indoors and outdoors.  Your child will learn through activities he or she has chosen, or from those that are led by an adult.  Children in the Foundation Stage learn through play based activities that are fun and enjoyable.  These activities are supported by caring adults who will work closely with you to ensure your child makes progress. 

Parents are actively encouraged to contribute to their child's learning journey with us by talking to staff, sharing achievements and attending regular in school parent sessions.

How you can help your child

Encourage and praise them because they need to feel successful

Look at their work and help them with their homework where necessary

Come into school whenever you can - such as assemblies, fayres, ‘Come and play’ sessions.  Children really love to see you in school

Always encourage your child to take pride in their work

Take time to share a book with them - take them to the library regularly.  Talk about what they are reading at school.

Encourage good manners and respect at all times to everyone in and out of school

How you can help your school

Ensure that all contact information is up to date

Make sure that we are aware of any medical problems

Let us know immediately if you child is absent

Let us know if you have a change in home circumstances - this information will kept confidential

Make sure your child is in school on time every day

Send your child into school in the correct school uniform

Send your child in with their PE kits

Ensure that home reading books are returned to school daily

Make sure that everything is named clearly

Check your child's hair regularly

If there is a change in the person collecting your child, please let us know!

Breakfast club is available for all children each morning.  Please contact the school office to arrange for your child to attend as places need to be booked in advance.