EYFS Curriculum

Foundation Stage at Sharjah International Private School L.L.C | S.P. consists of FS1 (age 3-4) and FS2 (age 4-5). We pride ourselves on providing solid foundations for each child’s learning journey through a play-based, fun and exciting learning approach, whilst following the UK EYFS curriculum.

Our philosophy of children learning through play and hands-on, active experiences ensures that all children develop strong learning skills and a real love of learning whilst also making rapid progress within the seven areas of learning.

Our highly skilled and passionate team of Early Years practitioners provide a range of learning opportunities both indoors and outdoors whilst also carefully tracking each individual child’s development. Experiences are meticulously planned to ensure that they not only excite the children but also are appropriate for their developmental needs and interests.

In addition to play, children also have daily Maths and Phonics lessons as well as daily reading and writing sessions in FS2. The curriculum is enhanced through an appreciation of the local culture of the UAE as well as the children’s home cultures.

Parents are kept well informed of their child’s learning journey and are encouraged to work in partnership with us at all times. Regular information meetings, weekly open sessions and our open-door policy at the beginning and end of the day ensure that we maintain high levels of parental engagement.

With the child at the heart of all that we do, we recognise each individual’s unique qualities to provide a caring, friendly and nurturing environment that is conducive to learning and happy!

The first few years of children’s education are fundamental. This is the stage when it is a priority for children to develop positive associations with learning. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, in accordance with the British National curriculum is renowned as one of the leading curriculums for young children. EYFS sets the UK national standards for the learning and development areas for children up to 5 years old with great emphasis placed upon delivering a broad and balanced curriculum.

The EYFS uses the term Learning and Development to describe seven areas of learning. These are all related to each other; however they are divided into Prime and Specific Areas.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Involves helping children to develop a positive sense of themselves, and others; to form positive relationships and develop respect for others; to develop social skills and learn how to manage their feelings; to understand appropriate behaviour in groups; and to have confidence in their own abilities. This area develops children’s positive sense of themselves. It teaches about having respect for oneself and others, developing social skills and a good attitude to learning. To give children the best opportunities through Positive Relationships, adults form caring relationships with all children. In Enabling Environments opportunities for play and learning are created that help children embrace differences between themselves and others. Learning and Development experiences are planned to promote all round development. PSED is made up of these aspects:

Self-Confidence and Self-Awareness

Managing Feelings and Behaviour

Making Relationships

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

PSED is made up of these aspects:

Self-Confidence and Self-Awareness

Managing Feelings and Behaviour

Making Relationships

Communication and Language

Involves giving children opportunities to experience a rich language environment; to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves; and to speak and listen in a range of situations.

This area provides children with opportunities for speaking and listening and ignites children’s interest in reading and writing. To give children the best opportunities for developing Communication and Language Positive Relationships support children to communicate their ideas and thoughts with each other and with adults. Enabling Environments contain signs, symbols, words, songs and notices. They also have books and pictures that take into account interests, backgrounds and cultures.

Communication Language CL is made up of these aspects:

Listening and attention

Understanding

Speaking

Physical Development

Involves providing opportunities for young children to be active and interactive; and to develop their co-ordination, control, and movement. Children must also be helped to understand the importance of physical activity, and to make healthy choices in relation to food.

This area provides opportunities for children to be active and develop their co-ordination, manipulation and movement. It develops understanding of the importance of being physically active and eating healthily. To give children the best opportunities through Positive Relationships children are supported in their understanding of exercise, sleep and eating to promote health. Activities in Enabling Environments both indoors and outdoors encourage energetic physical play. In Learning and Development, snack times promote social skills and the importance of making healthy food choices.

Personal Development PD is made up of these aspects:

Moving and Handling

Health and Self-Care

Literacy

Literacy development involves encouraging children to link sounds and letters and to begin to read and write. Children must be given access to a wide range of reading materials (books, poems and other written materials) to ignite their interest.

Literacy LD is made up of these aspects:

Reading
Writing

Mathematics

Involves providing children with opportunities to develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems; and to describe shapes, spaces and measures.

This area supports children’s understanding in different situations by providing opportunities to explore, practise, learn and talk. They practise skills and gain confidence and competence. To give children the best opportunities through Positive Relationships children use mathematical words and ideas in their play. Enabling Environments have resources for counting, calculating and shape available indoors and outdoors. In Learning and Development, stories, songs and imaginative play help with mathematical understanding.

Mathematics is made up of these aspects:

Numbers
Shape, Space and Measures

Understanding the World

Involves guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment.

This area offers children opportunities to explore and observe the environment, living things and objects. To give children the best opportunities through Positive Relationships, parents’ and carers’ knowledge extend children’s experiences of the world. In Enabling Environments, open-ended questions like, “How can we..?” and “What would happen if…?” are used. Learning and Development is based on first-hand experiences to observe, predict, make decisions and discuss.

Understanding the world is made up of these aspects:

People and Communities
The World
Technology

Expressive Arts and Design

Involves enabling children to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials, as well as providing opportunities and encouragement for sharing their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role-play, and design and technology.

This area supports children’s curiosity and play. They explore and share their thinking, ideas and feelings in music, in art, movement and dance, role play and technology. To give children the best opportunities through Positive Relationships children value their own unique ideas and those of others rather than reproducing those of someone else. Enabling Environments are stimulating and originality and expressiveness are valued. Learning and Development experiences allow children to express themselves through various types of representation.

Expressive art and design EAD is made up of these aspects:

Exploring and Using Media and Materials.
Being Imaginitive.

Children at EYFS will be learning other subjects in addition to the subjects above such as Arabic,Islamic,ICT,Music,innovation,PE and French (year1)