Central to our work at Haytor View is the importance we give to the voice of the child. We actively listen to children – seeking to find out what they are interested in, what questions they have and what they would like to know more about. Our role is to support the children in this journey so that they discover how exciting learning can be. This means our curriculum content is flexible as children’s interests change and it can be very varied. Our aim is that all the children who come here become independent, confident, caring and responsible young learners, who leave the Foundation Stage with a real love of learning. The needs of each child will vary and we work very hard to cater for this difference. You will be able to hear and read the children’s voice in the documentation we display in our “ Wait, Watch and Wonder” books The process of documenting a child’s voice allows us to make their learning visible to you and other children in the setting. This documentation is captured in words and pictures to tell their learning story about each area of the classroom and group discussions. Individual stories are captured shared in our morning meeting and filed in each child’s Learning Journey file.

“Just Playing” You may think that children are “Just Playing” when you see young children working in the Foundation Stage Unit.

However, if you look closely you will see a whole world of learning happening. This is because young children are ‘active learners’ and the experiences we offer are specifically planned to enhance the all around development of the child.

We want to enable each child to be a successful achiever in a safe, secure environment. Spontaneous learning opportunities are recognised and extended by the teachers as they occur. We encourage children to be active learners, to play with materials and through their play to explore and discover new ideas, skills and concepts. It is often during this the active process that learning is taking place and sometimes there may not be a visible end product. The process involved is the most important aspect of the learning. 

What have you done today?

Is a question frequently used when children are collected to go home. However, when children come home from working all day in the Foundation Stage a common reply is “I’ve done nothing” . The children have often been engaged in so many different activities it is difficult for them to recall and sequence them all. Allow them time,  they may recall important moments later in the evening or the next day.

Small but vital thing that will help build your child’s independence skills as they get ready for attending our Foundation Stage Unit:

⇨ Encourage your child to take off their own shoes, socks and jumper and to dress themselves, even though it will take a little longer these are vital skills towards being independent.

⇨ Let them take off their coats, hang them up and put it on – all by themselves.

⇨ Let them change and select their own story book (Children love to repeat the same story so don’t worry if they want the same book for a few weeks!)

⇨ Children may also choose to spend part or all of each session outside so please ensure that your child is dressed appropriately for the weather across the year, winter hats and gloves and summer hats etc.

⇨ Please check that your child’s belongings; coat, shoes, bags or any items of clothing which your child is likely to take off are clearly named to ensure they don’t get lost. Please write their names clearly so that they can recognise their own clothing.

We know that children only learn when they feel happy and relaxed, so the process of settling children in to the unit is planned on an individual basis. The first few weeks are really important as the children settle into the school environment and we all get to know one another. We structure each transition to allow a family member to join the children for the first week. This support is vital and ensures the children feel comfortable playing alongside a familiar adult as we introduce them to the different elements of the school day.

Every child across the Foundation Stage belongs to a smaller “Family” group with their “Key Person”, an adult who will build close, warm and supportive relationships within the group. They meet together at the start of every session at family group time.

Healthy Eating In the Foundation Stage – Snacks

Healthy Snack – we provide a snack in school for children to eat and drink if they wish to during the school session. This includes water or milk to drink, fruit and vegetables and a range of other healthy foods. Your child will be given a snack every day. They will be offered milk, cooled water and a piece of fresh fruit.

Children attending F1 do not need to bring in any additional snacks or drinks.

Children attending F2 may wish to bring an additional healthy snack when they stay for the whole day.

If you bring a snack for your child when they meet them at the end of the school session – we recommend something healthy like fruit, bread, or vegetables. To protect your child’s teeth and health we recommend that you do not bring sweets, chocolate, biscuits or crisps.

Dental Health – it is really important to register your child with a dentist. We can give you a list of local NHS dentists: all treatment for children is free.

When your child starts they will need a book bag, these can be purchased from the school office. Your child can borrow books from the School Library box at anytime. All library books are identified on the back cover with a ‘Haytor View Community School label or Devon Library service.

Reading and sharing books with your child on a daily basis is ESSENTIAL and something we prompt through our class library and core book offer. Please support your child in selecting and exchanged one book every day.

The first few weeks as the children settle into the school environment is really important as we all get to know one another. All children come to Foundation Stage Unit with a wide range of past experiences and need to settle into our Nursery routine in their own time and in their own way. Your child’s teacher will always be available to discuss any concerns you may have as your child settles. Every day the children have opportunities to work with paint, glue, clay, sand, water, mud etc. Although we have aprons for messy activities and waterproofs for outside children will still get dirty as they explore the wide range of materials available. Children may also choose to spend part or all of each session outside so please ensure that your child is dressed appropriately for the weather. Please provide extra layers for their boots as well a warm hat and gloves in the winter, a protective sun hats when we finally see those sunny days.

• Please ensure that all of your child’s belongings; coat, shoes, bags etc are CLEARLY named so that they don’t get lost