Foundation Department
The Foundation section upholds and promotes the Mission Statement of Garden International School.
The Primary and Foundation sections have an 'open door' policy and we encourage parents to come into school to discuss any concerns they have however minor they may seem before it becomes a problem for you or your child.
The Foundation section consists of Early Years, Reception and Nursery. Students are placed in classes depending on age. The children are about 2½ years old to about 5 years old.
The Foundation Stage aims to:
- Build on the children's experience of language at home and in the wider community by providing a range of opportunities to use their home language's so that their developing use of English and other language support one another.
- Provide a range of opportunities for children to engage with speaking and listening activities in English in English with peers and adults.
- Ensure that all children have opportunities to recognise and show respect for each child's home language.
- Provide bilingual support where possible, in particular to extend vocabulary and support children's developing understanding.
We are equipped with the facilities necessary for real play and challenging learning experiences that reflect and show respect for the diversity of your child's individual needs. Your child will receive positive and consistent encouragement to play and laugh, to learn, think and do, and have a wonderful opportunity for meeting with and developing a far reaching understanding of many people and their cultures. A life time of happy learning begins right here at Garden International Foundation Centre. A real education for life!
Early Years
Children are eligible to join the Early Years setting when they are two. They remain within this setting until they are three years of age. Children are eligible to join the Nursery if they are three at the beginning of the academic year.
The Early Years Department have qualified and experienced staff that are able to provide for your child in a stimulating and safe environment. Our Early Years provides a 'Programme of Care' and concern suited to the needs and developmental stages of very young children. Play, love and consistent role modeling of appropriate behaviour is acknowledge healthy, happy and well balanced children. Through play and carefully organized real life situations your child will learn to master new social skills both independently and with other children and adults.
The Early Years day allows for free movement within the setting and outdoors in the garden. Opportunities exist for playing, eating and outdoors in the garden. Opportunities exist for playing, eating and resting as appropriate for your child. The children are supervised by a qualified adult and by an assistant at all times for their safety and well being.
In Early Years we realise that your child may achieve milestones that you would love to have a record of, just as if it had occurred at home. For this reason we collect, date and record your child's development with noted to tell you when milestones are reached. This information will be incorporated into your child's first term and end of year reports. Each class teacher also records your child's progress in a 'Foundation Progress Record' book.
This book will then be passed on to Nursery and Reception and will be given to you when your child leaves the Foundation Stage.
The Foundation Stage Curriculum
The Foundation Stage begins when a child turns three. It has its own distinct curriculum based on the curriculum of England and Wales. We want your child to be a fulfilled and well adjusted learner. To be happy, motivated to learn and empowered to achieve their best potential they need to be given the opportunity to develop in all areas of the curriculum.
The curriculum is organised into six areas of learning by supporting, fostering, promoting and developing:
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Communication, Language and Literacy;
- Mathematical Development;
- Knowledge and Understanding of the World;
- Physical Development;
- Creative Development.
The Early Learning Goals establish expectations for most children to reach by the end of the Foundation Stage. Each one of the six areas of learning is sectioned into Early Learning Goals and then "Stepping Stones". Details of the curriculum can be collected from the school.
Foundation Stage Assessment
At the Garden International School Foundation section we are aware that children learn in different rates. Therefore it is necessary to be able to plan an individual curriculum and set individual learning goals for each child as well as have a broad curriculum with an overall view of the learning and skills we wish the children to acquire.
Parents as Partners
At our Foundation section we feel it is important to develop positive relationships between home and school, parents and teachers. We aim to make you feel welcome and provide you with all the information you require for peace of mind before and during your child's time with us.
