Foundation Phase (Wales)
The Foundation
Phase is a new approach to learning for children from 3-7 years of
age in Wales. It combines Early Years Education (for 3- to
5-year-olds) and Key Stage 1 (5- to 7-year-olds) of the National
Curriculum.
The Foundation Phase places great emphasis on
children learning by doing. Young children are given more
opportunities to gain first-hand experiences through play and
active involvement rather than by completing exercises in books.
Children are given time to develop their speaking and listening
skills and to become confident in their reading and writing
abilities.
The Foundation Phase is being implemented over
four years as follows:
1 September 2008 for all 3- to 4-year-olds in the Foundation
Phase
1 September 2009 for all 4- to 5-year-olds in the Foundation
Phase
1 September 2010 for all 5- to 6-year-olds in the Foundation
Phase
1 September 2011 for all 6- to 7-year-olds in the Foundation
Phase.
Inspection
Childminders in Wales who are funded,
through an accredited childminding network, to provide
education will be following the Foundation Phase
curriculum. These childminders will be inspected by Estyn (the
office of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate for Training and Education in
Wales) for the provision of education. They will also be
inspected, as all registered childminders are in Wales, by CSSIW
(Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales) against the
Childminding and Daycare Regulations (Wales) 2002 and the National
Minimum Standards for Childminders which also links to supporting
children’s learning and development.
Support for delivery
To support the rollout of the Foundation
Phase, a statutory framework, Framework for Children’s Learning for
3- to 7-year-olds in Wales, is available. This framework sets out
the curriculum and outcomes under seven Areas of Learning.
The seven Areas of Learning in Wales are;
- Personal and Social Well-Being and Cultural Diversity
- Physical Development
- Creative Development
- Language, Literacy and Communication Skills
- Welsh Language Development
- Mathematical Development
- Knowledge and Understanding of the World
There is an emphasis on developing children’s
knowledge, skills and understanding through play, experiential
learning (learning by doing) and by solving real life problems in
both the indoor and outdoor environments through these areas of
learning.
Childminders who are not providing education
can still support children’s learning and development by
understanding the philosophy and ethos of the Foundation Phase and
linking this to the care they provide.
NCMA members will find regular updates and
guidance on implementing the Foundation Phase in Who Minds?, their
membership magazine.
If you're interested in reading more about the
Foundation Phase call Welsh Assembly Government publications on
02920 826571.
For more information, contact Claire Protheroe,
Foundation Phase Development Officer (Wales) on 0845 8801299.