St George's British School of Malaga

Foundation Stage Brochure

A very warm welcome to St Georges Foundation Stage which comprises our Nursery
and Reception classes. We hope your child will settle quickly into the school and have
a happy and rewarding time here.
This brochure contains essential information: please read carefully.
OUR TEAM

NURSERY

RECEPTION

SUPPORT

James Shallcross
Melissa Gardner
Susan Jaques
Rachel Evans
Michelle Hately
Inma Torrejn
Emma Ward
Anne Ross
Ana Beln Rodrguez
Louise Eccles
Teresa Jones
Silvia Ruiz Quintero
Isabel Bonilla Gomez
Sonia Ruiz Quintero

General Director of the St George's group

Head Teacher
Head of Primary
Teacher and Nursery coordinator
Teacher
Teaching Assistant
Teaching Assistant
Teacher and Reception coordinator
Teacher
Teaching Assistant
Teaching Assistant
Foundation Secretary
School Nurse and Support Assistant
Support Assistant

AIMS AND ETHOS

Our aim is to create a safe, friendly, caring and stimulating environment in which
every child feels happy, secure and valued as an individual and shows respect for
others.
At St Georges we believe that this environment helps to create the quality of
relationships necessary so that effective learning may take place.
We hope that every child will develop:

Confidence
Independence
Empathy and respect for others
An enquiring mind and enthusiasm for learning
Skills and understanding

We are committed to equal opportunities so all children can reach their full potential,
regardless of race, culture, gender or disability. We will show children how to find out
about the exciting world in which they live and help them to take a delight in it. We will
provide an environment where parental involvement is actively encouraged and highly
valued.

OUR CURRICULUM
St Georges Foundation Stage follows the UK Statutory Framework for the Early Years
Foundation Stage (EYFS), which applies to children from birth to five. The EYFS is based
on four guiding principles underpinning effective practice in the care, development and
learning of young children. These are:
Every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable,
confident and self-assured;
Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships;
Children learn and develop well in enabling environments, in which their experiences
respond to their individual needs and there is a strong partnership between
practitioners and parents and/or carers; and
Children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates. The
framework covers the education and care of all children in early years provision,
including children with special educational needs and disabilities.
LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
The Foundation Stage Curriculum is split into 7 areas and is delivered at St. Georges
through a mixture of carefully planned provision and child initiated activities using a topic
based approach. We aim to take learning to your child by enhancing their play both inside
and outdoors through sensitive interaction in and across all areas of the curriculum.
In the EYFS these seven areas of learning and development are divided into three prime
areas and four specific areas.
Prime areas are fundamental to building a childs capacity to learn and thrive. They move
through to support development in all other areas. The three prime areas are:
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Communication and Language
Physical Development.
Specific areas include essential skills and knowledge for children to participate
successfully in society. The four specific areas are:

Literacy
Mathematics
Understanding the World
Expressive Art and Design

Through our provision we provide the following activities and experiences for children:
1. Personal, Social and Emotional Development. Children will
learn to be self-confident, show independence and self-respect.
They will learn to become aware of what is right and wrong and
how to behave appropriately for different situations. They will
learn to share and take turns, being sensitive to others needs
and be encouraged to work co-operatively in pairs, groups and
as a whole class. This underpins the whole curriculum.
2. Communication and Language. This involves giving children opportunities to
experience a rich language environment, which will help to develop their confidence
and skills in listening and expressing themselves. Our main aim is to develop and
extend childrens understanding and language through sensitive interaction by
modeling appropriate vocabulary and dialogue.
3. Physical Development. Your child will learn to move confidently, controlling their
body and handling large and small play equipment. They will have access to wheeled
toys (e.g. bikes, scooters) and they will learn to manoeuvre these and their bodies
with increasing control and co-ordination with an awareness of space and people.
They will develop their gross motor skills (large movements) and their fine motor
skills (beading, writing, making puzzles, etc.) by handling tools with safety and with
basic control. There is also a range of outdoor playground equipment such as the
climbing frame and slide.
4. Literacy Development involves encouraging children to link sounds and letters and
begin to read and write. Children will be given access to a wide range of reading
materials (books, poems and other written materials) to ignite their interest and
love of literacy at this early age.
5. Mathematics. This area will develop an understanding of maths through stories,
songs, games and imaginative play. They will count, sort objects and learn to
recognise numbers. They will use mathematical vocabulary to describe concepts such
as shapes, patterns, size, capacity and measures.
6. Understanding the World. Your child will explore and find out about the world
around them. They are encouraged to talk about their lives, family members and
events that take place in their lives. They will learn to investigate places, living
things and materials and objects using their senses. Children have access to ICT e.g.
computers, electronic toys and using smart board technology. They will find out,
celebrate and respect other cultures and their beliefs.
7. Expressive Arts and Design. Creative development has
many links with other areas of the curriculum and a lot of
teaching is done through creative activities such as collage,
printing or painting. This area also includes engaging in music,
role play and imaginative play. We display children's work to
encourage a sense of pride and achievement. Role-play
situations are set to encourage imaginative play, language
and to develop the childs thinking about others. They will
explore colour, shape, textures and space.

Central to the effective delivery of EYFS is an understanding of the different ways in

which children learn and this is reflected in our planning and guiding of childrens
activities. Three characteristics are essential to the curriculum we provide.

Playing and Exploring

Active Learning.

Creating and Thinking Critically

PLAYING AND EXPLORING

Play is the natural and best way that children learn. Children are
engaged, motivated and enthusiastic in their play so that they often do not realise that
they are learning. Play helps by giving children a sense of their own worth, abilities and to
feel good about themselves. As play is fun, children often become very absorbed in what
they are doing which helps them develop the ability to concentrate. Play has a serious
purpose and we structure it to enable investigation and exploration to occur. It enhances
the development of language by encouraging interaction between children and stimulates
their imagination too.
ACTIVE LEARNING
Active learning occurs when children are motivated and interested. Children need to have
some independence and control over their learning. As children develop their confidence
they learn to make decisions which gives them a sense of satisfaction as they take
ownership of their learning.
CREATING AND THINKING CRITICALLY
Children should be given opportunities to be creative in all areas
of learning, not just in the arts. At St Georges we support
childrens thinking and help them to make connections by showing
genuine interest, offering encouragement, clarifying ideas and
asking open questions. Children can access resources freely and
are allowed to use them imaginatively to extend their learning.

THE OUTDOOR CURRICULUM IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE FOUNDATION

STAGE.
Children have access to the outside environment for most of their
time in the Foundation Stage - we regard it as an important learning
resource. While there is a need to develop physical skills as in
running, jumping and kicking, the outside area is a resource utilised
for maths, science, personal and social skills, art - in fact the whole
curriculum.

ASSESSMENT
Assessment plays an important part in helping to recognise
childrens progress, understand their needs, and to plan activities
and support them. Ongoing assessment (also known as formative
assessment) is an integral part of the learning and development
process. It involves teachers observing children to understand
their level of achievement, interests and learning styles, and to
then shape learning experiences for each child reflecting those
observations.
In Foundation, children are assessed upon entry into Nursery in our baseline assessment,
which is adapted from the Age Two Progress Check, currently used in the UK. Thereafter,
the day-to-day observations of childrens progress are noted in their Learning Records and
discussed with parents at progress meetings each term. We give both children and parents
the opportunity to contribute to these records through the Home and Self Assessment
Records, which helps to keep us informed of childrens interests and characteristics
outside of school.
At the end of Reception, an Early Years Foundation Stage Profile
(EYFSP) is completed by the class teacher, which summarises and
describes childrens development against the Early Learning Goals (ELGs)
and their attainment at the end of the Foundation Stage. This profile is
shared with Year 1 teachers to support a smooth transition to Key Stage
1 and help them to plan an effective, responsive and appropriate
curriculum that will meet the needs of the children.

INFORMING PARENTS
Accurate assessment requires a two-way flow of information
between setting(s) and home. Each term, parents are invited to a
progress meeting with the class teacher in which childrens
individual achievements are shared and next steps are discussed
for the coming term. Parents are also invited to contribute to
their childs Learning Record by completing a Home Assessment
form. Teachers are always available to discuss any matters of
concern by specifically making an appointment.
Nursery parents are invited to attend a Welcome Meeting as part of the induction
process. In Reception, a Curriculum Meeting will be held early in the first term in which
Reception teachers will explain the teaching and learning policy in more detail.

ACHIEVING POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR

We believe that children flourish best when their personal, social and emotional needs are
met and where there are clear and developmentally appropriate expectations for their
behaviour. Children need to learn to consider the views and feelings, needs and rights of
others and the impact that their behaviour has on people, places and objects. This is a
developmental task that requires support, encouragement, teaching and setting the
correct example.

In St Georges Foundation Stage we follow the Golden Rules:

Walk carefully

Talk quietly and listen to everyone

Look after the toys

Take turns and share

Be kind to everyone

These rules are based on the premise that praise and encouragement, in the form of
rewards and stickers, promote good behaviour. It is important that parents talk about
these rules with their child and reinforce their use, especially when on the school
premises.
We acknowledge considerate behaviour such as kindness and willingness to share by giving
the children praise and a smiley stamp or sticker. When children behave in inconsiderate
ways, we help them to understand the outcomes of their actions and support them in
learning how to cope more appropriately. We may sometimes give a child time out for
repeated inappropriate behaviour in which case the childs parents will be informed at the
end of the day.

SESSION TIMES: 9:00 am to 3:55 pm. School bus leaves at 4:00 pm

I come early to Breakfast
Club. I must be here before
8:30 am so I can have time
I come on the School Bus.
In the morning my monitor
brings me to the gate and
leaves me with a member of
staff on the patio. At home
time the monitor collects me
and puts me on the bus. We
are always well supervised!

to finish my breakfast.

Please bring me in the mornings

to my class teacher on the
patio (Reception) or to the
classroom (Nursery) at 9:00
am PROMPTLY.

The main gate will be closed at 9:10 for security reasons. Children arriving after this time
will be taken to the classroom by an assistant to avoid classroom disruption.
It is vital we know who
is collecting your child.
Please let your Teacher
know, send a note or call
the office if there is a
change at any time.
Changes in routine for
bus children must be
informed via a written,
dated note.

In the afternoons, my
mummy
collects
me
from
my
classroom
promptly at 3:55 pm.
Remember that I may
become very distressed
if I wait too long to be
collected.

If your child is going to come to school on the bus, please do not send them on their own
for the first few weeks as this can be very upsetting for them. They do not know us yet
and they may not speak the language they will hear.

The Foundation Stage playground will close each day at 16:10. While we understand that
this is an important time for parents to meet and greet each other, we would ask for your
cooperation in leaving the school premises promptly so that staff may continue to carry
out other duties.
Also, please remember that we do not allow food and drink to be consumed on the
premises before or after the school day.

COMMUNICATION

Educating your child is a partnership between the school and home .

We can achieve this best if there is a clear path of communication between us. In
Nursery and Reception, we see most parents everyday and will inform you immediately if
we have any concerns. We are always pleased to see you, so if you wish to see your childs
teacher, please contact the secretary and make an appointment.
Verbal messages may be easily forgotten or
misunderstood, so please put any messages for
the teacher in writing and remember to date
them. You may convey last minute changes of
arrangements by telephone to the secretary.
Please check your childs school bag every
day for any school letters.

Curriculum Meetings for Reception are

held at the beginning of the school year.
Individual progress meetings for all
Foundation parents will be held in the
Autumn and Spring terms.

Please make sure we have all your contact details (home and mobile
telephone numbers, email address, etc) and inform us of any changes
immediately.
HELPING YOUR CHILD GET READY FOR SCHOOL
Before your child starts in Nursery, please make sure that they are able to:

Go to the toilet independently

Wash and dry hands independently
Use and dispose of a tissue
Dress independently
It is a school requirement that your child is fully toilet trained. Please
dress your child in proper underwear, not trainer pants. However, we do
accept that accidents will happen and deal with these sensitively.
(Please refer to SPARE CLOTHES section).

As parents you are your childs first and most important teachers. The support and
encouragement you provide are especially important during the early years. Working
together as a team, we can foster independence and provide children with secure
foundations for later learning.

SNACKS and WATER

The children will eat a small fruit snack provided by the school in the
mornings. This will help the children to eat better at lunchtime.
We would like the children to bring a small, healthy snack for the
afternoon break: fruit or a small sandwich, yoghurt or juice. Please put in
a named plastic bag and include a straw for the drink or spoon for the
yoghurt.
Please send in a clearly named small bottle of water for your child and replace as often as
necessary.

The following food items are not allowed for snack:

chocolate, nuts, biscuits or sweets.
LUNCH
Please help your child to become an independent eater before they come to Nursery.
At St. Georges, children are encouraged, never forced, to
We are independent eaters!
eat and to at least try everything, but please appreciate
that there will be days when your child eats only a little.
They may need some time to settle into the new environment and
in our experience we find that patience is the best way of dealing
with poor eaters.
We regard this as an important part of your childs development
and will contact you if ever we have any concerns.
Please make an appointment to see your childs teacher if you
have any concerns.
REST TIME

Once Nursery children begin a full day, they will have a rest session
after lunch for about an hour.
Please bring in a small, named cushion and blanket to make them more
comfortable.

UNIFORM

Children must wear the school uniform, which can be bought

from school. For the first few months of Nursery your child will
be able to wear PE clothes every day, as this makes toileting
easier.

Please send a clearly named smock (babero) in the foundation school bag; this will be
returned weekly for washing.

Footwear should be sensible and safe, without laces. Trainers may only be worn on
PE days, but dark, plain trainer shoes with Velcro are acceptable. In wet weather,
please wear wellingtons and provide a change of footwear for indoors.

Jewellery is not allowed, except for small stud earrings.

No belts or braces Please!

Short sleeves are more practical, especially when painting and for water play.

ALL UNIFORM, including shoes, winter jackets, cardigans, PE tops, spare

clothes etc. MUST BE CLEARLY AND PERMANENTLY NAMED.

Lost items may be found in the basket provided in the Office area.

SPARE CLOTHES
Young children do have toileting accidents, or often get wet during play,
so please send a change of clothes for such times (appropriate to the
season of the year) and make sure to keep the supply available all year
round. This will be kept in your childs foundation drawstring bag.
PLEASE MAKE SURE ALL ITEMS ARE CLEARLY LABELLED.
Your child may need several changes of clothes in the first few months in Nursery. We
would greatly appreciate if you can send spare plastic bags so we can send back any wet
clothes.
Please return any items of borrowed clothing as soon as possible as we can easily run
out of spare clothes.
BAGS

it

All children must have a St Georges Foundation bag and

drawstring bag, which are designed with the school name
and are easier to hang on the childs peg. Both can be
purchased from the school shop. The Foundation bag is
used to bring in snacks and school letters etc. and in
Reception to carry reading books, and goes home daily.
Please attach a familiar key ring, etc. to the bag to make
more easily identifiable. The drawstring bag is for spare
clothes and will stay in school.

PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD IN WITH ANY OTHER TYPE OF BAG AS LETTERS, READING
BOOKS ETC OFTEN DO NOT FIT IN.

ACCIDENTS and EMERGENCIES

We have a qualified Nurse on site to provide initial first aid if your child has an accident in
school or is unwell. You will be informed of minor accidents via a
note in your childs bag. In an emergency you will be contacted
immediately by telephone.
The school keeps on file emergency contact addresses and
telephone numbers for each child:
Please ensure that these are kept up-to-date.
MEDICATION AND ILLNESS
In the interest of other children and staff it will be necessary to
exclude any child who has been diagnosed with certain contagious
illnesses or sickness. If your child becomes ill or unduly distressed
during school hours you will be informed by telephone and may be
asked to collect your child straight away. Please allow a full 24hour period after symptoms have ceased before your child
returns to school. This will help us to control the spread of illness
more effectively.

If your child is going to be absent, please inform us as soon as possible, stating the
reason why.
If your child needs to take medication, such as an inhaler, during school hours, you
must fill in an Authorization Slip, which you can obtain from the Secretary.
Please inform us officially of any medical conditions such as allergies as soon as you
become aware of them.
If your child travels on the bus, please make sure you give the medication and
written authorization directly to the bus monitor to pass on to the Secretary. This
is for your childs safety.

LICE & NITS

I love childrens hair to

leave my eggs on!

Unfortunately, these bugs are often with us. They love

moving from head to head and are difficult to get rid of if we dont
act straight away!
Please check your childs hair regularly with a special comb as
screening will help prevent further infection.
We will notify you if we detect any cases, so you can apply the
recommended treatment at home.

THIS CONDITION IS HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS. THEREFORE, IF YOUR CHILD HAS LICE, PLEASE KEEP
THEM AWAY FROM SCHOOL UNTIL THE INFECTION HAS BEEN TREATED AND ERADICATED.

TOYS
PLEASE DO NOT LET YOUR CHILD BRING TOYS INTO SCHOOL.
They get mixed up with school equipment, children get very distracted
by them and they can be very distressed if they get broken or lost.
Books, however, are always welcome.
When your child first starts Nursery, they may bring a small comfort
toy for Rest Time only.
From time to time you may find that your child has brought home a toy that belongs to the
school. Please ask your child to return it the following day, explaining that these toys have
to stay in school.