Foundation Stage

Young children come to school from a variety of different backgrounds, having had a range of diverse learning experiences at home and, for most, some form of pre-school education. The Foundation Stage aims to build on these learning experiences by providing children with an appropriate learning programme to develop their dispositions to learn. It also aims to provide them with the skills and competencies they will need to succeed in school and future life.

The Foundation Stage also endorses good early years practice where teachers have more flexibility in terms of what they teach. This flexibility allows teachers to follow the interests of the children, encouraging them to see links in their learning and to appreciate that the skills they learn in one area can be applied elsewhere.

 

Guidance For Early Second Language Learning

Guidance and suggested activities for introducing second language learning at Foundation Stage.

Foundation Stage: Guidance for
Early Second Language Learning
PDF, 124KB

 

Thinking Skills in the Early Years: A Guide for Practitioners

A report from Stranmillis University College.

Thinking Skills in the Early Years

PDF, 1MB

 

Developing Thinking Skills & Personal Capabilities

The following case studies show how Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities (TSPCs) were developed in Early Years classrooms.

Snowy Solution
Developing TSPCs at Foundation Stage
PDF, 55KB

Three Little Pigs and One Big Bad Wolf
Developing TSPCs at Foundation Stage
PDF, 67KB

Flying High
Developing TSPCs at Foundation Stage
PDF, 123KB

 

The Northern Ireland Curriculum: Primary

This document contains the statutory requirements and non-statutory guidance for the Revised Curriculum at Primary Schools.

The Northern Ireland Curriculum: PrimaryPDF, 980KB

Understanding the Foundation Stage

Information on the aims and characteristics of the Foundation Stage and curriculum and assessment for Early Years teachers.

Understanding the Foundation Stage PDF, 704 KB

View Foundation Stage clip from DVD This excerpt from the 'Planning for Implementation' DVD introduces the Foundation Stage.