Our Foundation Stage (ages 3–5) is designed to ensure that every child feels safe, confident and ready to learn. We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework — a globally recognised structure that supports each child’s development across key areas of learning through purposeful play and intentional teaching.
What Is the Foundation Stage at Victory Heights?
The Foundation Stage is the first phase of your child’s school journey. It focuses on holistic development — supporting social, emotional, physical and cognitive skills so children build confidence, curiosity and capacity for independent learning.
Learning here is active, playful and intentional — carefully structured to meet children’s needs while encouraging exploration and discovery.
- FS1 (Foundation Stage 1) — from age 3
- FS2 (Foundation Stage 2) — from age 4
What Are the 7 Areas of Learning?
The EYFS framework is organised around seven interconnected areas of learning, grouped into Prime and Specific areas:
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development (Prime)
- Communication and Language (Prime)
- Physical Development (Prime)
- Literacy (Specific)
- Mathematics (Specific)
- Understanding the World (Specific)
- Expressive Arts and Design (Specific)
Prime and Specific — What It Means
The EYFS divides learning into Prime and Specific areas to reflect how children develop:
- Prime areas focus on the foundations of learning — including emotion, communication and physical skills.
- Specific areas build on these foundations, developing skills and knowledge in core domains such as literacy, maths and creativity.
Together, these areas help children grow as curious learners and confident individuals.
How Children Learn in FS1 and FS2
In the Foundation Stage, learning is active and meaningful: children explore through play, interact with peers, and engage with purposeful activities that build real skills. Teachers observe, scaffold, guide and extend thinking — carefully planning experiences that support both child-initiated interests and developmental milestones.
Assessment is ongoing and observation-led, giving a rich understanding of progress without formal testing. We celebrate effort, curiosity and growth at every step.
Play is not a pause in learning — it is the vehicle for it. In the Foundation Stage, we relish the power of purposeful play to spark curiosity, deepen thinking and build the foundations for future success.
Children arrive each day with ideas, questions and interests of their own. We listen carefully and use those interests as starting points, shaping meaningful experiences that extend language, problem-solving and creativity. When learning connects to what children genuinely care about, engagement and progress flourish naturally.
Our role as educators is to observe, guide and challenge thoughtfully — ensuring that play remains joyful, intentional and rich with opportunity.
What Does Success Look Like in The Foundation Stage?
Children who thrive here are able to:
- Communicate confidently with adults and peers
- Express curiosity and ask questions
- Manage self-care and routines with growing independence
- Engage with stories, numbers and creative exploration
- Collaborate, share and develop friendships
- Respond to challenge with resilience and curiosity
Parent Partnership in the Foundation Stage
We work closely with parents from day one. Home–school communication is frequent and informative, so you always know how your child is progressing and how you can support learning at home. This open partnership builds consistency and confidence for your child.
- Informal conversations at drop-off and pick-up — our teachers are available every day to share observations and answer questions
- Regular parent consultations — formal meetings to discuss progress, targets, and next steps
- Digital documentation using Seesaw — photos, videos, and learning updates shared directly to your device
- Class assemblies and year group productions — opportunities to celebrate your child’s achievements together
Spending time in the Foundation Stage at City of Arabia is always a pleasure. The classrooms are calm, purposeful and filled with curiosity. What stands out most is how naturally child-led exploration is woven together with clear teaching and strong foundations in early literacy and numeracy.
Children are encouraged to ask questions, test ideas and talk about their thinking, while skilled adults gently guide and extend their learning. It is a thoughtful balance that feels both joyful and secure.
As a governor, it is reassuring to see such care taken in building strong beginnings for every child.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Start Your Child’s Journey?
Our Foundation Stage is where it all begins. If you would like to learn more about our Early Years provision, or see our learning spaces in action, we would love to welcome you.