welcome to the foundation stage - bangkok patana school

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Welcome to the Foundation Stage

Welcome to the

Foundation StageA C e n t r e o f E x c e l l e n c e

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Key contacts

PLEASS NOTE:the content of this booklet was accurate at the time of publication (June 2017)

any amendments will be communicated to parents through the regular year group newsletters of school communications.

Our Mission is to ensure that all students of different nationalities grow to their full potential as independent learners

in a caring British International community.

We develop global citizens who shape their world through independence, empathy, creativity and critical thinking.

Mission

Vision

BangKoK Patana school guiding statements

Foundation stage mission statement

We play, we think, we learn.

KEY CONTACTS NAME EMAIL

Head of School Mr Matthew G Mills [email protected]

Primary Principal Mr Jason Cooper [email protected]

Senior Teacher, Leading Learning in Foundation Stage Ms Julie Kelly [email protected]

Leader of Learning and Welfare Mr Daniel Hatfield [email protected]

Leader of Learning and Development Ms Sarah Gaughan [email protected]

Admissions Ms Rachel Jones [email protected]

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contents

We aim to provide the utmost care for your child, both in educational standards and in nurturing your child as an individual. We hope that you find this booklet helpful and we look forward to working together with you

and your child. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Welcome to the Foundation stage.............................................................4

What your children Will need.....................................................................13

Birthdays........................................................................................................17

learning Journeys.......................................................................................11

Focus children and Parent-teacher conFerences.....................................12

the nursery day...............................................................................................6

the Fs1 and Fs2 day.........................................................................................7

Behaviour exPectations.................................................................................17

our ‘settling in’ routine................................................................................9

Foundation stage curriculum.....................................................................11

sleePing and rest time....................................................................................8

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In the Bangkok Patana School Foundation Stage, a centre of excellence, we aim to provide a varied, balanced and exciting curriculum, enriched with practical experiences

and matched to the needs of each child.

This booklet contains the basic information needed prior to starting Foundation Stage. If you require any further information, please feel free to ask.

Please note that we no longer use the names K1 and K2 for Year groups. We use the labels FS1 and FS2 respectively and we continue to use Nursery for our youngest Year group.

Welcome to the Foundation stage

At Bangkok Patana School, we are committed to encouraging children to become independent learners. Using the UK Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum

as a guideline, the adults in the Foundation Stage observe the students closely and work with parents to note each child’s ongoing interests and learning needs. The teachers use the information collected to tailor appropriate learning experiences to support each child’s individual development.

Our children explore and learn through play, allowing them opportunities to take risks in a safe environment. The opportunities for individual exploration and use of imagination allow our children to develop the characteristics needed to become effective, life-long learners.

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Parents have a special role to play in their child’s early education and we recognise the need for teachers and parents to work in partnership through continual communication.

Effective communication and home/school links are encouraged through:

•Home Readers, which are sent home on a regular basis•Email and SMS•Our red Contact Book, which is checked on a daily basis•Regular Open Mornings•Continuous online access to your child’s Learning Journey via ILD (Interactive

Learning Diary)•Daily contact•Weekly newsletters•Bangkok Patana School website and Parents’ Gateway•Our class blogs•Parent—Teacher Conferences (also see section on Focus Children page 12)•Soft starts

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the nursery dayWe start the day at 7:30am

home time - if you are taking your child home, please arrive at the nursery Building Parent

Waiting area.

a snack and milk are provided during the morning.

lunch time - Please inform us if your child has any special dietary needs or allergies.

Bus service - For information regarding the school Bus service please contact [email protected]

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07:30 - 8:00

our soft startWe actively encourage you to accompany your child into the Foundation Stage area for the first part of their day, to share in their learning in our stimulating and interactive learning environment.

8:00 - 11:30

a balance of teacher initiated and child initiated learning (including specialist lessons)A healthy snack is available throughout the morning. This includes plain milk (soya milk is also available on request) and fruit or a snack item.

11:30 - 12:30 lunch time

12:30 - 2:30

Fs2: a balance of teacher initiated and child initiated learning (including specialist lessons)

nursery and Fs1: sleep or rest time followed by a balance of teacher initiated and child initiated learning (including specialist lessons)

2:30end of the dayThere is a bus service available. For more information please contact [email protected]

the Fs1 and Fs2 day

Nursery and FS1 Beginning of the YearAs part of the settling in process, there will be a staggered intake during the first weeks of term.

mailto:transport%40patana.ac.th?subject=

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sleePing and rest time at BangKoK Patana

Our focus is always on the children’s emotional and physical well-being, so it is very important that young children get all

the sleep and rest they need. In order to meet the needs of each child in Nursery and FS1, who are attending school until 2:30pm, ‘sleep’ or ‘rest’ times are available as part of the school day. These will continue while they are developmentally and personally appropriate and beneficial to the children as individuals and learners.

At around 12 noon, the children will have a ‘sleep’ or ‘rest time’ in a tranquil atmosphere with subdued lighting and calm music. The children lie down on individual mattresses to sleep. The children in the sleeping area will be woken up at around 1:30pm. If they wake up before this time, they will join the other FS1 and FS2 children.The preferences and wishes of parents are always valued and the individual needs of each child, in consultation with the parents, will be reviewed on a regular basis.

What is required:

•named comfort blankets and named soft toys for sleeping are most welcome for they bring enormous comfort and reassurance to some small children. these items will not be available to the children at other times of the day, as they will have many other learning resources available to them as part of our continuous and enhanced provision.

•2 named fitted sheets to fit a mattress measuring 55cm – 120cm•a small named pillow (optional)•a named thin fleecy blanket or something similar•sleep nappy/Pull-up (if necessary – based on individual needs)•the children will sleep in their school uniform, taking their shoes off.

Please provide a spare set of bedding. The children will use their bedding from Monday to Friday and then will bring it home on Friday to be washed.

resting time

Some students no longer need an afternoon nap. For these students, there will be the opportunity to rest in a tranquil atmosphere. The soft furnishings in the ‘rest areas’ will be cleaned on a regular basis. There will also be calm learning experiences available, including drawing and puzzles. At 12:30pm the children in the resting and calm learning areas will return to the classrooms and shared areas to continue their learning with the FS1 and FS2 children.

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our ‘settling in’ routine For children neW to the Foundation stage

The Foundation Stage is the first step in your family’s learning partnership with Bangkok Patana School.

A successful start on this journey is very important and has major benefits for your child’s subsequent schooling.

Settling your child into school can be a very stressful time for you both. Please be assured that we will work together with you to make this process as smooth as possible.

Bangkok Patana staff have many years of experience in settling young children at school and this has helped us develop a routine that we feel works best. In Nursery and FS1, children are given different starting dates, this is to ensure that each child and family receives the attention they need and deserve during their first weeks in school.

the First day

On the first day of school, parents or a familiar adult are encouraged to stay with the child to allow the child to become familiar with the staff and the environment.

Children travelling on the bus for the first time are also encouraged to have an adult stay with them until they are used to the routine.

the First Week

On the second day, and for the rest of the first week, parents can stay with their child for the first hour of the morning.

After the first hour, we will encourage you to leave the area but stay within the larger school environment for ease of contact. The Parent Lounge is availble in the Nursery or the PTG Room will be available with tea and coffee making facilities for your convenience. In addition, drinks can be purchased at the Primary School Canteen or from True Café.

Please do not worry if we phone you within half an hour, this is quite normal for a young child.

Please be assured that we will not allow your child to be upset for longer than twenty minutes and will phone you immediately if this is the case.

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the second Week onwards

From this point, the settling in routine will depend entirely on your child. We will observe your child very closely to decide on the ‘next step’. We may recommend that your child has a short morning initially. All our decisions will depend on your child and we will keep in close contact to let you know our plans.

during the separation Process We have Found that:

• A quick goodbye is better than a prolonged good bye.• You should never leave without saying goodbye, as although this seems like a good idea, it may

cause long term settling in problems.• Large numbers of adults accompanying a child to school and all saying goodbye at the same time

can be very distressing, therefore we recommend that only one adult accompanies any child to school at this early stage.

Please be aware that all children settle very differently and some children will appear to settle very quickly but may then get upset at a later date. This is also quite normal, do not worry if this occurs we will talk to you and find a positive solution to help you and your child.

separation and Well–being

The Foundation Stage curriculum focuses on a child’s well-being first and foremost. Learning to communicate ensures that children feel happy, settled and secure during their time in the Foundation Stage. Consequently, we value and encourage the children to communicate in their home language and support them in this endeavour as far as possible. This is in keeping with the school Home Language Policy. Please let us know if you would like more information on this.

Please note: Children joining Nursery and FS are not assessed for English as an Additional Language (EAL) support as their language skills are still in the early development stage. Please be advised however that assessment of language acquisition will be carried out during their time in FS2 and at the end of FS2 it will be determined whether the children will need EAL support to both access the Year 1 curriculum successfully and further enhance their English language development. Please note that fees for EAL are in addition to school fees.

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Foundation stage curriculum

We follow the English EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) curriculum. The programme is divided into the following areas:

Playing and exploringActive learning Characteristics of Effective Creating and thinking critically Learning

Personal, Social and Emotional DevelopmentPhysical Development Prime Areas of Learning Communication and Language(These prime areas of learning underpin the learning in the four specific areas below)

LiteracyMathematics Specific Areas Understanding the WorldExpressive Arts and Design

You can find out more at www.foundationyears.org.uk which provides more information about the curriculum and in addition, there will be opportunities to find out more and to ask questions at our curriculum mornings and parent-teacher conferences.

learning Journeys

In the Foundation Stage each child has a special online learning portfolio (ILD), which reflects their skills development, attitudes and dispositions, and celebrates their achievements in all areas of learning and

life. The evidence includes videos and photographs highlighting significant steps in learning. There is also an opportunity for parents to contribute; sharing your child’s learning experiences, special events and achievements at home via the Parent Portal.

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When students enter the Foundation Stage, they are carefully assessed and organised into ‘focus groups’ of four or five children. The focus groups are rotated on a four-week cycle throughout

the school year. On your child’s focus week, the teacher will identify your child’s ‘next steps’ and, alongside the other adults in the learning zone, will plan specific learning experiences to support your child’s progress towards these goals. All the adults in your child’s learning zone will closely observe and track individual progress throughout the focus week, meeting on a daily basis to share observations and discuss ways forward.

Please note that when your child is not a focus child, they are still monitored very closely and supported in all their needs. Once every half term, you will be invited in for a conference, where the teacher will share your child’s learning journey with you, celebrating achievements and identifying their next learning goals. We will also ask you for input on your child’s interests and development at home and this information will then feed into the teachers’ planning, securing an important three-way-partnership in your child’s education.

Focus children and Parent-teacher conFerences

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self-confident, independent children become competent learners

To help us help your child you can:Label all your children’s belongings with their name and picture where appropriate.

Please note: Indelible markers are available from the School Shop for labelling school uniforms and other possessions.

What your children Will need

Please note, school bags are now navy

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in nursery and Fs1 you will need:

Uniform Sun Hat

closed toe, velcro fastened sandals in a

dark colour*

School Bag Book Bag PE Bag

Please note:Children attending Nursery are encouraged to be toilet trained, however this is not essential.Children in FS1 and FS2 should be able to use the toilet independently.Please keep one complete uniform, including underwear, in your child’s bag at all times.Personal toys and jewellery are discouraged in the Foundation Stage.

* Closed toe, Velcro fastened sandals, as pictured above, and worn without socks, are our preferred style for all Foundation Stage children. * Nursery children only are permitted to wear sandals in this style but with an open toe. * Children in FS2 can also wear black, conservative leather (or simulated leather) shoes with an enclosed toe, Velcro strap and low heel. Black shoes should be worn with white socks. * Please note that flip flops/thongs and ‘Crocs’ style shoes must only be worn for swimming.

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Closed toe, velcro fastened sandals in a dark colour

Please see the note about shoe styles at the bottom of page 6.

Uniform

• School PE Kit• Trainers that can be

fastened independently• PE Bag

**

*

* *

* All of these items are available to purchase at the School Shop**For practical reasons, culottes are our recommended style of uniform.

**

in Fs2 you will need:

For Pe you will need:

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• Swimming suit• Sun shirt• Towel• Slippers / Flip Flops / Crocs• PE Bag• Goggles

* All of these items are available to purchase at the School Shop.

Please also provide:

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One plastic cup with handle (not a water bottle)

For swimming, all Foundation stage children will need:

Many thanks for your support with preparing the things your child will need for their time in

Foundation Stage.

*

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Birthdays

It is wonderful for children to share their birthday celebrations with the class. However, please note that the teacher should always be consulted to arrange a mutually convenient time to share

a cake and greetings. Please provide individual cup cakes, if possible, as they are easier to distribute and there is less waste. Also, please bring candles, matches and a sharp knife, if you need them. No nuts please as we have children with severe nut allergies.

Please Note: It is school policy that teaching staff cannot distribute any party bags or gifts on your child’s birthday or other celebration days.

Behaviour exPectationsChildren make positive choices with their behaviour when:

• They are happy and settled at school• They are helped to develop high self esteem, self control and empathy for others• They clearly understand the school’s expectations of behaviour

At Bangkok Patana School we:

• Recognise and encourage positive behaviour• Encourage respect for others• Expect children to take responsibility for their own actions• Promote the education of the whole child emphasising intellectual, personal, social and emotional

growth, underpinned by the International Baccalaureate (IB) Learner Profile

18Bangkok Patana is an IB World School, accredited by CIS and NEASC

643 Lasalle Road (Sukhumvit 105)Bangna, Bangkok 10260

Thailand Tel: +66(0) 27785 2200

Fax: 27785 2399www.patana.ac.th

welcome to the foundation stage - bangkok patana school

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