The Early Years Foundation Stage: Parents' Guide

The Village Montessori Nursery School is a member of West Berkshire Early Years and is recognised as a Nursery School covering the Early Years Foundation Stage of Education. This is a period of education from 2 ½ up to 5 / 6 years. Statutory School Age – when a child transfers to Primary School is the term AFTER s/he is five years of age. It is our belief that 5 years is the most appropriate age for a child to move on to Primary Education and this belief is based on proven educational reasons. Most other countries across the world do not start this primary stage of education until the age of 6 or even 7 years of age. It is our great concern that parents are being encouraged to enrol their children in a primary school at the age of 4 years or well before their fifth birthday!

We have very successfully integrated the Montessori Curriculum – without diluting it in any way – with the Foundation Stage. It is called the Foundation Stage because it gives a child secure foundations for later learning and understanding. Early experiences affect children’s attitudes to learning and these experiences create the basis for later learning in school and beyond.

The six areas of young children’s learning and development are:

  1. Personal, social and emotional development
    Developing confidence and independence, while learning to concentrate and to enjoy sharing as part of a group.
  2. Communication, language and literacy
    Communicating with one another and developing skills in talking, listening, writing and reading.
  3. Problem Solving, Reasoning & Numeracy
    Understanding and using ideas about number, quantity, measurement, shape, size and space.
  4. Knowledge & understanding of the world
    Investigating and beginning to understand actions /reactions/interactions within our planet - places, animals and people around them.
  5. Physical development
    Improving control and co-ordination of their bodies, while learning to move and handle equipment safely and with increasing confidence.
  6. Creative development
    Exploring and finding ways to communicate by using colour, shape, sound, texture, movements and stories. The teachers in our Montessori setting build on children’s existing skills and interests and new learning is introduced in a purposeful and appropriate way for young children.

We believe that most children will have reached a high level of understanding in all six areas by the end of their time with us. Many children will go beyond the basic requirements and our experienced teachers are ready and able to provide new challenges.

When pupils transfer to the next stage of their education, we will pass on to parents a detailed Record of Achievement and Development covering the Montessori Programme of Activities.

Parent / Teacher Discussion Evenings take place each term.

For further information on the Montessori Programme and/or Montessori Approach, the Foundation Stage, the Nursery Education Grant or on any matter concerned with your child’s admission to The Village Montessori Nursery School, please contact:

  • Jackie Maclean (Headteacher)
  • Jackie Flaxman (Deputy Headteacher)