Introduction to the Early Years Foundation Stage

Mrs A Flynn

On behalf of the Early Years team I would like to welcome you to the Royal Russell Junior School. Our recent Inspection report highlighted how successful we are in providing children aged 3 - 5 with an excellent start to their education.


Curriculum
Our Nursery and Reception classes follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum, which has been introduced as a distinct phase of education for children from birth to 5. This guidance sets out six areas of learning which form the basis of the Foundation Stage curriculum.


Reporting and Assessing
All pupils in the school will have their learning continually assessed in order to monitor progress. Children in Reception and Nursery are assessed using the guidelines set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage and evidence is documented in their own Early Years folder.


Supporting Learning at Home
In the Early Years, teachers provide a weekly newsletter to help support learning at home. Children are actively encouraged to bring in books, pictures and artefacts from home to share with their peers. 


Pastoral Care
Pastoral care is a recognised strength within the Junior School. We truly believe happy children will be more successful in their learning journey. Strong links between home and school are encouraged to ensure all children feel secure, valued and happy here.


Daily Routine
Parents and children in Early Years should line up in the Lower Playground at 8:30am where their class teacher will come to collect them. Teachers can answer questions at this point of the day or will happily make an appointment to meet you, should you have any concerns. The day begins with Registration by class teachers. There is a break during the morning, when fruit and milk are provided, and at lunchtime. The children enjoy lunch in the Junior School Dining Hall. The day ends at 3:15pm.


Crèche
The Lower Junior Crèche (after-school club) accommodates up to 32 children (Nursery to Year 2) from 3:15pm until 6:00pm. The session includes light refreshments immediately following the end of the school day and a hot meal at 4:30pm. Our own Nursery Nurses and Teaching Assistants organise play-based activities and work closely with teachers to ensure all children's needs are meet.


Learning Support
The Junior School seeks to identify special needs at an early stage, and class teachers who suspect that a pupil may be suffering from a specific learning difficulty may ask our Learning Support Co-ordinator for recommendations to help in class. In a very small number of cases, the School may seek guidance from Croydon Local Education Authority's Inclusion Team.