Foundation Phase.

The Foundation Phase within Wales includes only children from the age of three to seven. Foundation phase was based upon the principle that the early years should provide a base or foundation for a childs future learning. it also allows the children to become more creative and also allows them to take part in expressive activities. It allows children to learn through their own actions, but at the same time still allows an adult to subtly direct the action in which the child is participating. Withing the foundation phase children learn how to develop thinking skills, and also teaches them on how to have a positive attitude when it comes to learning. The foundation phase consists of seven learning areas. Creative Development; Mathematical Development; Welsh Language Development; Language, Literacy and Communication skills; Knowledge and understanding of the world; Personal and social Development, well-being and cultural diversity and also Physical Development. The curriculum of the foundation phase differs from many others, as our foundation phase within Wales are not centered around subjects but more around the areas of learning. Knowing that both boys and girls sometimes tend to learn differently, foundation phase takes this into consideration and build an environment in which both of them can excel. Foundation phase assessments are also based around the children. Most assessments are teacher based and are more teacher assessments than anything else, because of this most schools/ foundation phases hold different assessments making it become difficult for the children when they finally move out of this phase. "It would be important and advantageous for the assessment continuum currently being produced by ACCAC to be used in all Foundation Phase settings" Siraj-Blatchford, Sylva, Laugharne, Milton, Charles. (2005) However good the foundation phase is, some believe that the children are in fact not learning everything that is need of them by the time they reach eight and are no longer in the foundation phase. "In a significant minority of schools, Children are not learning enough in Foundation Phase... the activities planned are not challenging enough... lack of balance and good planning limit's the development of children's interdependent thinking..." Estyn (2011)

Estyn (2011) Literacy and Foundation Phase and Evaluation of the Implementations the Foundations Phase for 5-6yr olds in Primary School with Special reference to literature.

Siraj-Blatchfor, I. Sylva, K. Laugharne, J. Milton, E. Charles, F. (2005) Monitoring and Evaluation of the Effective Iimplementation of the Foundation Phase Project across Wales.