The Foundation Stage begins when children reach the age of three and it continues into a child's first year of school also known as the reception year. Children who attend Nursery and Reception will follow the Foundation Stage Curriculum.
The Foundation Stage Curriculum is organised into seven areas of learning:
Three PRIME AREAS:
• Communication and Language
* Physical Development
* Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Four SPECIFIC AREAS
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the World
* Expressive Arts and Design

Play is an important part of the Foundation Stage Curriculum. It is the key way in which young children learn with enjoyment and challenge. Through play our children explore and develop learning experiences, which help them make sense of the world. They practise and build up ideas, and learn how to control themselves and understand the need for rules. They have the opportunity to think creatively alongside other children as well as on their own. They communicate with others as they investigate and solve problems.

During the Foundation Stage children have the opportunity to:

• Explore ideas and interests in depth;
• Learn through movement and all their senses;
• Initiate activities that promote independence;
• Learn in different ways and at different rates;
• Make links in their learning;
• Explore creative and imaginative play activities that promote the development and use of language.