Foundation Phase what do people think?

[thecloudhopper]

The new foundation phase curriculum is in almost full swing, what do parents/teachers think of this play based approach to learning.

[piscesmoon]

Pleased that we have gone back to treating DC like DCs and not setting them up for failure before they are 5yrs old!

[BoysAreLikeDogs]

What phase ?

DO you mean EYFS - this has been in place for well over a year now

[thegrammerpolicesic]

Why cloudhopper - what's your view?

[thecloudhopper]

No I meen foundation phase in Wales I amd still unsure as I have seen mixed results in different schools, some I know the children do realy well out of the play based curriculm but other schools seem to have missjudged what is asked.

[thegrammerpolicesic]

I don't know details of the Welsh curriculum but my impression of EYFS in England is pretty similar. It can be great when done well but some schools don't get it still. It must be really hard for teachers to get the right balance of adult-led and child-led activity.
I also think it depends what kind of kid you have - it's probably brilliant for the type who doesn't like sitting still and structure, but less so for studious children who actually would quite like a bit more 'teaching' - but I might be wrong there.

[mrz]

In theory the Foundation Phase is what EYFS should have been but I can't comment how it works in practise. I understand that funding isn't available to run it as intended which is a pity.

[mary21]

I am greatful DS1 went trough before it all started. He just couldnt cope with play based learning and didnt have the play skills till he was 6. He was however reasonably bright and learnt to read under the old system and adored the structure. I know he is not typical. Ds2 enjoyed the play of reception but like many of the boys hated being called over to work with the teacher when he could see his friends haring round on trikes outside. Only too happy to do some sticking or writing if others werent playing. (doing something more interesting) . If the purpose of reception is to develop really good play, social ,gross motor, fine motor skill . Parents need to be informed of this .they are the basis of later learning. It would help stop people from worrying about which ORT stage there kid is on or what ability table

[lljkk]

I think that Wales has had play-based curriculum as the 'norm' for 4 or 5 years now? I recall a relative of DH moaning (very worried that the curriculum wouldn't be challenging enough for her bright bot children ).

Anyway, I wish we had play-based learning until end of Yr2 in England, too. DS5yo-Yr1 is struggling with the formal side of sit-down learning. He is too young, imho, to be subjected to it. I am clueless on how to make him like school.

[mrz]

The Foundation Phase in Wales covers 3-7 years of age unlike EYFS which covers 0-5. The proposed ratios are 1-8 for 4-5 year olds (EYFS is 1-30)

[thegrammerpolicesic]

ooh maybe I might move to wales with a ratio like that in schools

[jaded]

If only I lived in Wales - sounds much more civilised and sophisticated! The ratio 1-8 sounds great! The children must have an excellent foundation there.

[thecloudhopper]

The ratios are 1-8 for N/R in Wales and have been funded too by Welsh Assembly. For year one and two ratio is 1 to 15.

thegrammerpolicesic- When done well foundation phase is good for all children I would say even the ones who like sitting etc.

lljk- Foundation Phase again when done right does stretch the brightes, becuase they are learning through doing, we as adults are around to extend the learning through questioning, observing etc.

The one problem is the training is poor.

[Takver]

My dd is slightly too old to have fallen into it (now in yr 3, she had just left reception as it was phased in there, IIRC). However, the school was clearly changing towards the foundation phase approach while she was in the nursery/reception class.
She thrived on the play based approach (despite being a child who likes structure), but found the transition into yr 1 quite hard. I suspect once the whole thing is rolled out it will work more smoothly as there will be a gentler transition to more formal learning. (To be fair, it was also a large and I think quite challenging yr 1/yr 2 class, and the school had an ESTYN inspection, plus dd's class teacher had an emergency op & was off for most of a term!) I think that dd would have really benefitted from another year in reception or a similar environment, though.
The school as a whole seems to be moving towards a more holistic, topic based approach (all rather familiar as I went through primary schooling in the 70s ), there is a parents' meeting to explain it next week - don't know if this is an all-Wales thing or their choice?