Free-Flow Play

Free-flow play allows children to follow through their play ideas in the most appropriate place their concentration is maintained and the opportunity to move into a new space will often extend their play and offer opportunities for involvement of additional children.

When children can freely choose where to play, they don’t have to wait for a special time in the day to try out ideas, or to practice new skills, or simply to work on a larger scale than indoors. The building and other users restrict us from doing free-flow continually.

Free-flow happens between 9.30a.m. to 10.40a.m. and 1.30p.m. to 2.50p.m. This allows Fun for Twos to spend time outside. We are very aware that some children, given the choice, would not go outside at all, so between 11.15a.m and 11.50a.m.every child will start their play outside

Curriculum for the Foundation Stage

The Foundation Stage is organised into areas of learning.

The Prime Areas are particularly important for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning

1. Personal, Social and Emotional Development

As children develop a positive sense of themselves and respect others; they develop social skills and learn how to manage their feelings and understand appropriate behaviour in groups.

2. Communication and Language Development

Giving children the opportunity to speak and listen in a range of situations and to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves.

3. Physical Development

Children will have the opportunity to be active and interactive, to develop co-ordination, control and movement; they will be helped to understand the importance of physical activity and healthy choices in food.

Providers support children in four specific areas, which are supported by the Prime Areas. These include the essential skills and knowledge said to be required for children to participate successfully in society.

4. Literacy

The children will be encouraged to read and write by listening to others reading and being encouraged to begin to read and write themselves, and being given access to a wide range of reading materials.

5. Mathematics

Children will be provided with opportunities to practise their skills in counting numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems and describing shapes, spaces and measures.

6. Understanding of the World

Children will be guided to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore and observe people, places, technology and the environment.

7. Expressive Arts and Design

Children will be supported to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials, as well as providing opportunities for sharing their thoughts and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role play and design technology.