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   Mrs Rachel Mulleague - Foundations Manager     Mrs Caroline Elwell - Room Co-ordinator

                            Contact details Rachel.mulleague@springwoodacadem.org                                                                                         Caroline.elwell@springwoodacademy.org

                                         

                     Mrs Melissa Lake                   Mrs Kelsea Perreault       Miss Claire Appleton                       Early Years Practitioner               Early Years Practitioner        Early Years Practitioner

 

In the Foundation 1 room, children are supported in developing the knowledge, skills and understanding that help them make sense of the world. We now delve deeper into the curriculum, adding the more specific areas of Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World and Expressive Arts and Design.  We facilitate this through offering opportunities for them to investigate, explore and question what is happening and why. This is done through a range of activities and resources.

Daily learning includes super sounds phonics, mark making and numeracy sessions for all children.

Outside play is freely accessed throughout the session, where children are able to take part in physical activities such as role-play, gross motor skills and painting on a larger scale.

Super Sounds Phonics 

Super Sounds is our pre-Phonics programme in FS1, designed to build the essential foundations children need before they begin formal phonics teaching. The programme focusses on developing three key skills: listening and attention, phonological awareness, and early reading skills including blending and segmenting sounds. Children take part in daily activities delivered in small groups, ensuring each child receives focused support. The sessions are fun and engaging, using games, songs, and interactive activities to help children develop a love of sounds and language whilst preparing them for their phonics journey.

The Super Sounds Long Term Plan can be found at the bottom of the page

Handwriting 

In FS1, we take a carefully structured approach to developing the physical skills children need for handwriting. Our programme focuses on building strong foundations through:

Targeted small group activities –  children take part in small group activities that focus on developing both fine and gross motor skills. These activities are carefully planned to build the strength, coordination and control needed for writing.

Progressive handwriting sessions – As children's physical development progresses, we introduce handwriting sessions where they learn key strokes and letter formation patterns. This gradual approach ensures children are physically ready before formal letter writing begins.

Key focus areas throughout:

• Correct pencil grip development
• Proper sitting posture for writing
• Hand strength and stamina
• Fine motor control and precision

This developmental approach ensures that every child builds the physical foundations they need to become confident, fluent writers as they progress through school.

The Handwriting Long Term Plan can be found at the bottom of the page. 

 

Communication and language is at the heart of our curriculum and underpins all areas of learning. High quality conversations and vocabulary development occur daily through play based learning, continuous provision and story time.

Books shared at story time have been carefully selected to ensure our pupils; learn new vocabulary, speak in clear sentences, develop their conversational skills, deepen their understanding and ask and answer questions. 

The list of story time books can be found at the bottom of the page