Foundation

Welcome to the Foundation Stage

We are delighted to welcome you to the Foundation Stage at Kneesall C of E Primary School. Whether you join us in Nursery or Reception, we know you will have a fabulous time and learn lots of exciting new things. Keep an eye on this page for what we are learning.

We are very lucky in the Foundation Stage as we are able to adapt teaching and learning according to the interests of the children, providing spontaneous learning opportunities whilst still adhering to the core principles of the Foundation Stage. The possibilities and opportunities are endless!

Things to remember:  

To ensure that your child is prepared for each school day please send them with:

• bag
• reading book and diary
• a named water bottle
• a waterproof coat (we're outside a lot!)
• wellington boots (where possible to stay at school),
• a change of socks and at least two pairs of spare pants and bottoms

PE kit will not be required for the first half-term, whilst the children are settling in. Children will have access to resources to help them develop physically such as riding wheeled equipment, playing with a variety of games equipment and making and using obstacle courses. 

A quick reminder to parents if you haven’t already, if your child would like milk please register at www.coolmilk.com. Under fives receive free milk!

Thank you for your continued support.

Mrs K Hudson                                               Mrs Hearson                                           Mrs McMahon

         Class Teacher                                       EYFS Teaching Assistant                          Class Teacher (on leave)

Autumn Term 1 2023 - Me and My World

This topic supports children with settling into the new rules and routines of school and encourages them to make new friends and feel confident in their class. It teaches children about being helpful, kind and thoughtful at home and at school, with a particular focus on kindness as one of our School Values. This topic also teaches children how they are unique and special, the importance of friendship and how people in their family, school and local community are important and can help them. 

We have been busy settling into our Foundation Stage and we are learning our new routines well.

We know that when we hear 'Team Stop' and see a grown up's hand up we stop what we are doing and listen carefully. 

We are getting to know all our friends in Foundation and a being very kind and helpful. We are being very courageous and trying lots of different activities on our own and with our friends. We have a lot of faith in our own abilities and we always try our best. 

We try and remember our school values of kindness, courage and faith and this helps us have a really happy time together.

In RE we were talking about where we belong. We talked about our families, our school and our class. While we were talking about our Foundation Stage, we decided to give ourselves a new name this term. Together we talked about the Foundation One and Two children, and wanted better names for each group. We talked about the difference between the two groups of children and after some discussion and a vote we have decided to call the Foundation One children Caterpillars and the Foundation Two children Butterflies.  We thought that the younger children were a bit like caterpillars, growing, learning and changing, and the older children were also growing and learning, but were ready to spread their wings and show the 'Caterpillars' how to behave and flourish. 

We have been reading and sharing lots of stories. We have been talking about who we are and what makes us us! 

We have enjoyed sharing these books.

Autumn Term 2 2022 - Once Upon a Time & Sparkle and Shine

Once Upon a Time- This project supports children to develop a love of stories and reading. It encourages children to learn, retell and act out familiar and traditional tales including Cinderella, Goldilocks, Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs and The Three Billy Goats Gruff.

Sparkle and Shine - This project teaches children about the celebrations that take place during the autumn and winter seasons, and focus on the significance and symbolism of light at this time of year.

Spring 1 2023 - Starry Night and Winter Wonderland

Starry Night explores the differences in the world at night compared to during the day. It teaches children about the importance of a good night’s sleep, and helps them to discover what is happening in the world while they are sleeping, including finding out about nocturnal animals. Winter Wonderland teaches children about the changes that happen during winter, including the types of weather associated with winter. It also explores places that have snow all year round and the types of animals that live there.

Spring 2 2023 - Dangerous Dinosaurs & Puddles and Rainbows

This exciting project teaches children about the different animals that roamed Earth millions of years ago and how they are related to animals that live on Earth today.

Puddles and Rainbows (mini project) teaches children about the weather that happens during spring and allows them to explore natural phenomena, including rainbows. It supports them to explore colour in the natural world.

World Book Day 2023

Summer 1 2023 - Sunshine and Sunflowers & Shadows and Reflections

This seasonal project provides opportunities for outdoor learning and teaches children how to care for the plants and animals in their local environment and how to stay safe in the sun. Shadows and Reflections teaches children about natural phenomena, including shadows, reflections and echoes. They explore how shadows are formed and how they can change.

Our trip to The Old Barn at Field Farm

We had a fantastic day for our first school trip! In the morning we harvested radishes, cauliflower, broccoli and kale from the fields. We took them back to the barn to wash and cut to take home. Helen made us a smoothie using the kale we had collected which we all loved! At lunchtime, we had lots of fun playing in the mud cafe and on the tractors. In the afternoon we learnt about how wheat grows, saw the big red combine harvester that cuts it and learnt about how it becomes flour. We had a go at grinding it into flour ourselves. Then we finished the day with some crafting by making our own scarecrows to protect our seeds that we are growing.