Foundation Stage

Welcome to our Foundation Stage at Pye Bank Primary School! We hope you find this information useful. We are confident that it will provide you with an insight of Foundation stage provision. We have a very committed, enthusiastic and experienced team to support and guide your child through their Foundation years so they can reach their full potential.

Our Foundation Unit comprises of Nursery and Reception-aged children (3-5 years old). Our Nursery children are in the Jewels and our Reception children are in the Sheaf and Rivelin class.

Pye Bank is a two form entry and each reception class can have a maximum of 30 children per class. Children can start from the age of 3 in our Nursery.

Please see the photos below to meet our staff.

Learning Environment

Our unit allows the children in Jewels, Sheaf and Rivelin to move freely around during child-initiated playtimes, both inside and outside.  We benefit from having two large classrooms which can be partitioned for whole-class learning time, a Nursery base for Jewels and an intervention room.  The children have their own toilets within the unit too and there is immediate access to our Foundation outdoor area.  We are part of the whole school, so we make regular use of other areas in the school, such as Forest schools, the sports hall, the Gemstone Café and the library.

Our unit is divided into separate areas, including a large home corner, creative area and construction area. These places are carefully planned and resourced in order to provide the children with as many different learning opportunities as possible in their play. Our Foundation outdoor area include a large hard surface area, two smaller tarmac areas for activities such as bikes and scooters, and brand new play equipment, a large grassed area with a mud kitchen, a twigloo and a climbing frame.

Nursery (Jewels Class)

Children can start Nursery from the term after their 3rd Birthday and are entitled to 15 hours a week free Nursery provision. The 15 hours provision can be taken in several ways:

Either five-morning sessions (8.30am to 11.30pm) OR five-afternoon sessions (12.15pm to 15.15pm) 4each week
Two full days and one half day session each week - Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning OR Wednesday afternoon, Thursday and Friday.

30 hours free childcare

All parents and carers who have children aged three and four are currently entitled to 15 hours a week free childcare. For parents/carers who both work (or the sole parent /carer is working in a lone parent family) this may be doubled to 30 hours free childcare a week, which we provide at Pye Bank.

To be eligible for the increased free hours, you must:

·         earn at least £120 a week.

·         each parent must not earn £100,000 or more a year.

·         each parent/carer needs to work a minimum of 16 hours a week at the national minimum wage.  

You could still be eligible if you or your partner is on maternity, paternity or adoption leave, are unable to work if they have a disability or caring responsibilities. Single parents can also apply. To apply for 30 hours please click here.

If your application is successful, you will receive an eligibility code, which they bring into the office at Pye Bank. If you would like your child to join our Nursery, please feel free to phone the school office on 01142760472 for further information.

The Foundation Stage Curriculum

We teach daily maths, phonics and reading and children begin to lay the foundations for later work for PSHE, RE, Music, PE and ICT during weekly topic lessons. We follow a framework called Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework that sets out the learning, development and assessment requirements for all children until the end of reception year.

There are seven areas of learning and they are split into prime areas and specific areas of learning. Prime areas of development and learning lay vital foundations in the early years. 

For me information click the link Foundation Curriculum

Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage

Assessment

Reception Baseline Assessment

During the first 6 weeks of Reception, we carry out the Reception Baseline Assessment. The purpose of this assessment is to provide the starting point for a new measure that will support parents to understand their child's progress from Reception to the end of Year 6. More information can be found by clicking on the link below.

Reception Baseline Assessment

EYFS Profile

At the end of the EYFS – in the summer term of the reception year in school – teachers complete an assessment which is known as the EYFS Profile. This assessment is carried out by you child's teacher and is based on what they, and other staff caring for your child, have observed over a period of time. All of the information collected is used to judge how your child is doing in the 7 areas of learning and development. The school will give you a report of your child’s progress, including information from
his or her EYFS Profile.

It's not just us who love our School. Our parents/carers think it is great too - this is what they have to say:

Pye bank is a great school. All four of my children have attended the nursery/school. I have three children who currently attend. They are all doing brilliantly, more importantly they are happy. The school has always been kind and caring, they have ensured that the children are in an excellent environment for learning and play.

The teachers are fantastic, they are always available. I have found all of my children’s teachers to be approachable and understanding. I have always been kept updated about my children’s learning and progress. My children have made great friends which is one of the reasons they love going to school.

I am delighted with how the school has supported the development of my children. I really believe this is due to the fact that Pye Bank school has so many wonderful, dedicated staff who are committed in helping all the children achieve their full potential.

My son started at Pye Bank school in reception, he is now in year 6 and soon to be a school leaver. He has enjoyed his time at Pye Bank and is also doing well academically. This due to the positive encouragement he gets from the teachers and school.

The teachers at the school are friendly and welcoming. And happy to help with any concerns you may have about the school or your child's education.

The special education needs team are exceptional, and really go far and beyond to help children with extra needs make the most of their school experience.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Policy