Foundation Stage

Foundation Stage 1

The FS1 experience this year has truly been remarkable. Whether it has been in the classroom or learning from home, each child has grown in confidence and personality. The children were motivated and curious to explore our first topic ‘Why do you love me so much?’ Through meaningful experiences the children discussed what it means to belong in a family and to the Hartland community. “Is it shiny?” topic brought numerous occasions for exploration and investigation in the classroom. Both the indoor and outdoor space enhanced the children’s learning opportunities when they explored light. The children thoroughly enjoyed “Can we explore it” topic. Open-ended and loose materials were provided for the children to promote critical thinking, problem solving skills and to build wonder.

‘Why can’t I have chocolate for breakfast?’ The children’s observations and ideas provided many valuable speaking and listening opportunities about healthy eating and what foods are good for growth and development.Our final topic ‘Why is water wet’ has opened the children’s imagination’s further. They have enjoyed the various experiments from home and creating their very own mini aquariums too. It is clear to see that the children are independent, kind and resilient learners that we feel exceptionally proud of as they move forward to future learning in FS2. We will miss you greatly, but know you are ready for the next challenge!

Foundation Stage 2

Foundation Stage 2 have had had a wonderful year exploring our engaging indoor and outdoor provisions as well as continuing their learning from home, connecting together daily on zoom live lessons. The children’s smiles remain infectious and their ideas to support learning have been so creative: We welcomed our FS2 children with the question,

‘Do you want to be friends?’ Through games and activities, learning all about our new friends. ‘Will you read me a story?’ exposed the children to a range of stories and meaningful opportunities for storytelling, drama, writing and technology. ‘Why do Zebras have stripes?’ enhanced the children’s knowledge on safari animals and enabled the children to develop a range of creative skills such as drawing and joining and assembling to create their own role play safari.

As part of our learning for ‘Who lives in a rock pool?’ the children became fascinated by sea creatures and had fun buying and selling ice creams whilst developing our maths skills for counting and money. During online learning, the children have explored our new question ‘Are we there yet?’ As part of our Literacy, our parent pilots joined our live online sessions and answered questions prepared by the children. Although we want to keep the children in FS forever, we know they are ready to fly the nest. Their confidence and abilities are strengthened and friendships are now formed for life with each other. We are so proud of the children you have become filled with love and kindness. Remember to wave and say hello as you pass by next year!

Foundation Stage 1 TRIPS

This year, our FS. 1 children continued their learning outside the classroom while participating in two, fun-filled field trips. In conjunction with our topic ‘Can we explore it’, FS1 ventured out to Mirdiff City Centre for an exciting adventure at ‘Little Explorers’. Here, the children consolidated their fantastic STEAM learning through participation in a wide variety of activities while exploring the ‘Space’, ‘Water’ and ‘Play’ zones. They investigated the different ways in which water behaves, had fun developing their hand-eye coordination and then blasted off on their imaginative space adventures! Prior to our very exciting ‘World Book Day’ this year, FS1 went to watch a fantastic production of ‘The Mr. Men’ show. The children thoroughly enjoyed the animated stories and this was reflected in the vast array of amazing ‘Mr. Men’ costumes which were created and worn by the children on ‘World Book Day’.

Foundation Stage 2 TRIPS FS2 have been very lucky to attend two great trips this year. We were extremely excited to be invited to ‘The Al Jalila Center’. They learned great African tribe songs and sang at the top of their voices and even got to use their very own African drum. The highlight of the trip was making their very own African clay mask each and they all can’t wait to see what their masks will look like when they are ready for collection. Our second trip to see ‘Mr Men’ in the Mall of Emirates Theatre was superb! FS2 watched the puppeteers with awe and delight. All the children giggled and joyed in with glee throughout the performance and the whole bus ride back to school was filled with chatter about the colourful characters and funny storylines. Luckily, the excitement continued after the trip as the children got to dress up as their favourite ‘Mr Men’ character for World Book Day too!