Website of the UK government

Where to go for Foundation Stage learning

All three and four year old children are now guaranteed a free, part time early education place (up to 12.5 hours per week) for up to two years before reaching compulsory school age (the term following their fifth birthday). This can be used in a range of settings including school reception classes, nurseries, playgroups, pre-schools and Children's Centres, and with accredited childminders in approved childminding networks.

• Early years: where your child can learn

Learning at the Foundation Stage

Young children will have a wide range of different experiences, skills and interests when they join a setting or school at age three, four or five. They need a well planned and resourced curriculum to take their learning forward and to provide opportunities for all children to succeed in an atmosphere of care and feeling valued.

The Foundation Stage prepares for all future learning by supporting, fostering, promoting and developing children. The Foundation Stage curriculum is organised into six areas of learning:

Personal, social and emotional development

Your child will learn to be self-confident, take an interest in things, know what their own needs are, tell the difference between right and wrong, and be able to dress and undress.

Communication, language and literacy

Your child will learn to talk confidently and clearly, enjoying stories, songs and poems, hearing and saying sounds, and linking them to the alphabet. They will read and write some familiar words and learn to use a pencil.

Mathematical development

Your child will develop an understanding of maths through stories, songs, games and imaginative play. They will become comfortable with numbers and with ideas such as 'heavier than' or 'bigger'. They will be aware of shapes and space.

Knowledge and understanding of the world

Your child will explore and find out about the world around them, asking questions about it. They will build with different materials, know about everyday technology and learn what it is used for. They will find out about past events in their lives and their families' lives. They will find out about different cultures and beliefs.

Physical development

Your child will learn to move confidently, controlling their body and handling equipment.

Creative development

Your child will explore colours and shapes, trying out dance, making things, telling stories and making music.

The early learning goals set out the skills, understanding, knowledge and attitudes it is hoped children will reach or exceed by the end of the Foundation Stage. An integral part of the Foundation Stage is play, both adult-led and child-initiated, indoors and outdoors, as this is a key way in which young children learn.

Sometimes they will choose what they want to do. At other times they take part in activities which help them learn how to concentrate or develop a particular skill, like using scissors or gluing card.

Your child's progress

An assessment based on observations by teachers of children in everyday activities is made at the end of the Foundation Stage called the Foundation Stage Profile.

The Foundation Stage Profile is a national scheme that enables teachers to record observations and summarise your child's achievements at the end of the Foundation Stage. It shows how well your child has progressed with the Early Learning Goals and covers all six areas of learning.

There are no tests for children; teachers record achievement based on their observations of your child's activities throughout the Reception Year. They do not need to carry out any set assessment activities.

• Download the Foundation Stage information pack for parents (opens new window)

More useful links

• More about the Foundation Stage curriculum (opens new window)
• Looking for childcare: more information from SureStart (opens new window)
• Preparing for the first day at school