The Foundation Stage Unit

We are now in the very fortunate, unique position of having 2 fully qualified teachers at Bakewell Nursery School: Mrs J M Teale (Head of the Nursery) and Mrs Chadbourne (Deputy of the Nusery).

Mrs Chadbourne teaches in the Foundation Stage Unit on a daily basis and is totally committed to our belief that a well structured, play orientated environment where children are having fun as they learn is vital!

The high staff:child ratio allows individual attention to take place and the continuous daily professional input of Mrs Chadbourne and Mrs Teale ensures this attention is of a high standard.

The Foundation Stage is the period of education from the age 3 years - 5 years. The Foundation Stage curriculum is completed at the end of the reception year in Primary Schools. It is called the Foundation Stage as it provides the foundation for all future learning.

The curriculum for the Unit is carefully planned by Mrs J M Teale and Mrs Chadbourne alongwith a qualified team of Nursery Nurses. Activities and learning experiences for both indoors and outside are skilfully organised, using the six Areas of Learning and Development from the 'Early Years Foundation Stage' as a framework.

These Areas are:

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
  
• Communication, Language and Literacy
  
• Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy
  
• Knowledge and Understanding of the World
  
• Physical Development
  
• Creative Development

Mrs Teale has many years experience liaising, linking and co-ordinating Nursery activities with those in Reception classes in Primary Schools to ensure continuity and progression for the children and is, as a result, knowledgeable and fully aware of the next educational steps for Nursery children. More detailed curriculum information is on display in the Foundation Stage Unit for you to look at.


Whilst in the Foundation Stage Unit, detailed records will be kept regarding your child's development and ever-changing interests.

We consider it to be very important to incorporate your child's interests into our planning. For example, a little boy in our Foundation Stage Unit, Charlie, loves Thomas the Tank Engine at the moment and always has lots of mathematical fun in outdoor activities based on 'Percy','Thomas' and 'Henry'!

During your child's stay in the Foundation Stage Unit, you will be invited to an individual parental meeting where you can discuss your child's progress with Mrs Chadbourne.