Starting at the Foundation Unit
Information for Prospective Parents
Under the government's funding scheme, three and four year olds are entitled to free part-time education (for up to 5 sessions a week). These early years, together with their time in reception class at primary school, make up the foundation stage.
Pre-School attendance is not compulsory and it is not intended to feel like 'learning' for the children - most children see it as fun and play. However, as they get to grips with speaking and listening, singing and dancing, stories and counting, they will be gaining many basic skills that will get them off to a flying start when they reach school age.
To view the Lower Foundation Unit prospectus please Click Here
Starting at the Foundation Unit
In Christow, children can join the Lower Foundation Unit for one session a week in the half term preceeding their third birthday.
By the time they are three, they can attend up to five sessions a week, (subject to availabilty), and do not have to be accompanied by a parent or carer. However, some children take longer to settle than others. Parents can feel reassured that, when this is the case, the Foundation Unit staff will work together with them to help their child feel confident and secure in the group. Encouragement, where appropriate, will be given to parents/carers to separate them from their children for brief periods at first, gradually building up to longer absences.
In order to feel free to explore and experiment with all kinds of material (and get involved in messy play), it is helpful if children are dressed in clothes that are easily washable. In wet weather, we may ask that children bring with them wellington boots and outdoor coats.
While we ask that children starting at the Foundation Unit should be reasonably reliable at using the toilet, we understand that the occasional accident does happen and we have some spare clothes available if necessary. Children will be helped to use the toilet if they cannot manage alone.
The Structure of the Day
On most days, we follow a structure that is familiar and reassuring to the children, starting with registration. This is a very special time when the children enjoy speaking and listening. They may be encouraged to describe events or experiences, or to show the other children an item that they have brought along (e.g. to illustrate the letter or colour of the day). It is also a time for the key workers to discuss the plan for the day, including any special activities.
After registration, the children usually break into groups which take turns to enjoy focused activities (such as painting, model making or cooking) whilst the others enjoy the many learning opportunities that are available in the Foundation Unit. These include outside play, the home corner and supermarket stall, dressing up, the book corner, sand and water, floor play (a variety of educational toys are placed on the carpet) and table top activities such as construction toys and puzzles. With our staff and parent helpers, we maintain a high adult-child ratio and whether they are taking part in focused activities or freely playing, the children enjoy a high level of support and encouragement.
During the morning the children can enjoy a glass of milk or water, fruit and even some cakes or biscuits that they have made themselves in the Foundation Unit kitchen! This is another good time for speaking and listening, for using their place names to think about the patterns of letters and sounds, and to learn about taking turns and sharing.
Later in the morning is often a time for more physical play. We have a wide range of resources to support this. The children may either play in the adventure playground or the enclosed playground (where they enjoy the ride-on toys, balls, hoops etc). The children also have their own 'desert island' garden to play in, with open access during the whole morning.
The Foundation Unit session usually ends with more group time - discussion, songs and stories. On Monday mornings the children visit the school's reception class to hear a story. This is one of the ways in which we help to make the children's transition from the Foundation Unit to School as smooth as possible.
While we believe that having a familiar structure to the day helps the children to make the most of their time with us there is considerable day-to-day variety in the activities undertaken and there is opportunities for them to pursue their own lines of development. The Foundation Unit also organises trips and invites special speakers to support the childrens learning.
Those of us who have children who have moved from Christow Foundation Unit to Christow Primary School have found the transition very gentle. This owes much to the confidence they have gained from their time at the Foundation Unit and to the excellent support and care provided by the Foundation Unit staff.
Full Time School
In Devon, most children will move into primary school when they are aged between four and a half and five. It is important to note that there is flexibility here. If you are unsure about starting full-time school before your child is five, it is helpful to discuss this with the staff in the Foundation Unit