Foundation Stage

On behalf of myself and the Foundation Stage Team I would like to welcome you and your child to Pre-school. Please also visit the Meet our staff page to learn more about us.

Children can join our Pre-school class after their second birthday although their start date will depend on your child’s development and many children start after their third birthday. Your child will be allocated a Key Adult who will ensure that your child’s experience of Pre-school is both enjoyable and valuable. Your child’s Key adult will continuously monitor and assess your child’s progress and enjoyment of school. We aim for the children to develop solid social and emotional skills and for them to be settled and happy in school from their first visit. To achieve this, we involve you and your child in their gradual entry into Essendene.

Children are introduced to basic number concepts and early maths skills through games, songs and role-play. Teachers work hard to develop children's appreciation of books and other texts and their pre-reading skills are encouraged in all areas of learning Children begin to be taught phonics as soon as they begin at Essendene and this is followed by blending words and reading books.

Children have opportunities to work artistically and musically in this department and also begin modern foreign languages. The children have Physical Education every week and in Reception the children swim once a week. The Pre-School children also join in with special assemblies and other group activities with the older children.

Children have access to an outdoor learning area and for children in Pre-school this forms part of their classroom. They play with sand and water, dig and plant in the flower bed and look for nature in the pond. Children also regularly use their outside area to read, draw, paint and role-play.

The Foundation Stage also is the beginning of our relationship with you as parents. You will have a chance to speak to staff at the beginning and end of each day, write notes in your child’s message book or send us an e-mail. We also invite parents into school several times a year to share and celebrate your child’s work.

We look forward to meeting you and your child.

Foundation Stage Coordinator