

Since September 2000 the term Foundation Stage has been used to describe the phase of education from a child’s third birthday to the end of the reception year. This is a very important stage as it prepares children for all their future learning and successes.
Their early years’ experience should be happy, active, exciting, fun and secure; and support the development, care and learning needs of all children.
The revised, framework for the Foundation Stage was implemented during September 2012.
There are 7 areas of learning and development, including three prime areas. These are:
Communication and language
Physical development
Personal, social and emotional development
As children grow, the prime areas will help them to develop skills in 4 specific areas being:
Literacy
Mathematics
Understanding the world
Expressive arts and design



