Currently our Foundation Stage consists of a 39 place Nursery and two Reception classes.

The Foundation Stage aims to provide a happy, caring and safe environment, stimulate children’s natural curiosity and allow them to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding. We want children to develop independence and to co-operate with others and to talk and communicate in a range of situations whilst learning the skills needed to progress through school and future life. In 2019 79.5% of children attained a 'good' level of development at the end of Foundation Stage.

Following the statutory Early Years Foundation Stage document, opportunities for learning are provided through a planned, balanced, adult-led and child-initiated curriculum. Children experience a range of whole class, group work and independent tasks. There are seven areas in the Early Years Curriculum:

• Communication and Language,
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development,
• Physical Development,
• Literacy,
• Mathematics,
• Understanding the World
• and Expressive Arts and Design.

Children have a daily phonics lesson based on the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised scheme. To enable children to develop a positive self-esteem and attitude learning takes place both inside and outdoors. It is expected that suitable outer clothing and footwear are worn to school so that children can benefit from the experiences provided in all weathers.

Our Reception Playground

At Argyle, we feel very strongly about the importance of outdoor learning to support both a child's academic development and physical and emotional well-being. The equipment has been designed to promote children's development across all areas of learning and includes a climbing frame, a stage, a track for bikes, cars and scooters, a natural den area, a role-play cottage and an area that has been planted to attract butterflies and bees.

We use the National Framework for the EYFS to support planning and assessment. Each half-term alongside child-initiated learning a range of themes are also planned for and taught aimed at broadening children's knowledge and interests.

This table shows the topics we currently follow.

	Autumn 1	Autumn 2	Spring 1	Spring 2	Summer 1	Summer 2
Nursery	All About Me	Nursery Rhymes	People Who Help Us	Fantasy Tales	All Creatures Great and Small	Transport
Reception	Ourselves and Our Families	Traditional Tales	We are Explorers	We are Investigators	How Does Your Garden Grow?	Down on The Farm

Trips and Visits

Throughout the year, our children experience visits that enhance their understanding of the curriculum and the local community.  Trips are planned to the local church and mosque, the activity centre in Hyde Park and Kentish Town Farm.  Visits are made by the local police and postman and children go on walks within the local area.       

Parent partnerships are highly valued with Maths and Literacy workshops held regularly. In these highly popular sessions, parents, teachers and children work together supporting children’s learning through a range of games and activities. Parents discover how we teach Literacy and Maths and find out ways in which they can support their children at home. Nursery parents have had the opportunity to take part in a Bookstart workshop where they made props to enhance the story 'Shark in the Park.' They have also joined their children in playing and learning at Writing and Maths 'parties.' The following photos provide a snapshot of opportunities available in the EYFS.