Foundation Stage

Foundation Stage (Reception)

At Olney Infant Academy, our Foundation Stage reflects our deep belief that the early years are a unique and vital stage of life. It is here that children develop the skills, attitudes and curiosity that underpin all future learning. Our Why is simple: every child deserves a joyful, secure and ambitious start, where they feel confident, capable and excited to learn.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides children with the very best foundations for lifelong learning. Through warm, nurturing relationships, high-quality teaching and purposeful play, we support children to develop socially, emotionally, physically and academically. This strong start enables children to flourish throughout their school journey and beyond, while carefully preparing them for Key Stage 1 and the demands of the KS1 National Curriculum.

Our Intentional Curriculum

Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to build on what children already know and can do, recognising the importance of their prior experiences at home, nursery and pre-school. Research tells us that young children learn best through active engagement, meaningful talk, exploration and play, and our learning environments are intentionally planned to reflect this.

We are proud of our meticulously crafted, intentional curriculum, which provides a rich and ambitious start to children’s learning journeys. This curriculum introduces children to essential foundational knowledge and skills, planting carefully chosen seeds that we know will be developed and deepened in later years. Children are encouraged to take risks, ignite their curiosity, explore early scientific concepts and develop inquisitive, questioning minds. High-quality core texts are woven throughout learning, supporting the development of a rich and varied vocabulary while promoting confident oracy. Children are also introduced to artists, creativity and big ideas that will be revisited and built upon as they grow. As a result, children are exceptionally well equipped for what comes next, with many leaving the Foundation Stage securely above age-related expectations. This strength was recognised in the school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, where inspectors noted that pupils’ “love of learning stands out” and that children “do very well right from the start.”

Literacy and Phonics

Literacy skills are taught daily, with a strong emphasis on early reading and phonics. We follow the Supersonic Phonics programme, which provides a systematic, engaging and inclusive approach to teaching children to hear, say, read and write sounds. Supersonic Phonics supports children to become confident, fluent readers by combining high-quality phonics teaching with rich language experiences, repetition and overlearning.

Alongside phonics, we place a strong emphasis on vocabulary development. Children are introduced to rich and adventurous language from the very start of their school journey, helping them to build the words they need to communicate their ideas confidently in both speech and writing.

We are passionate about developing a love of writing from the moment children enter our school. Writing is something to be enjoyed, explored and celebrated. Through a balance of creativity and structure, children are supported to develop the foundational knowledge and essential skills needed to become confident and independent writers.

Our approach to writing is guided by the principles of Jane Considine’s Fantastic Foundations, which help bring writing to life for our children. A particular favourite with the children is Grandma Fantastic, who introduces them to her wisdom, wise words and wonderfully adventurous vocabulary. Through these engaging experiences, children are inspired to experiment with language and develop their confidence as young writers.

At Olney Infant Academy, our staff are always keen to take learning to the next level. The video below is a great example of this creativity in action. In fact, Jane Considine herself spotted our video on social media and was so impressed that she asked to use it — something we are incredibly proud of.

Reading and writing are developed through meaningful, practical and engaging experiences that foster curiosity, creativity and a genuine love of books and storytelling.

Mathematics

In the Early Years, we believe that mathematical learning should be meaningful, practical and rooted in children’s natural curiosity. Mathematics is woven throughout the school day through a balance of adult‑led learning, high‑quality interactions and carefully planned continuous provision. Our aim is to ensure that children develop a deep, secure and confident understanding of early number, pattern, shape and measure, preparing them for future learning through the KS1 curriculum.

Daily maths sessions are taught in a fun, hands‑on and engaging way. Children explore new ideas using concrete resources, real objects and familiar contexts that make abstract concepts accessible. Through purposeful play, investigation and exploration, pupils develop key skills such as subitising, comparing quantities, noticing patterns, and understanding the composition of number. These experiences help children to build strong conceptual foundations rather than rely on rote learning.

Mathematical talk is at the heart of our approach. Adults model precise language, encourage children to explain their thinking, and provide opportunities for them to ask questions and justify their ideas. This focus on communication enables children to deepen their reasoning skills, make connections, and use the correct vocabulary with increasing confidence.

Our continuous provision is thoughtfully designed so that mathematical opportunities are embedded throughout the environment. Whether building towers in the construction area, sorting natural objects outdoors, measuring ingredients in the mud kitchen or setting the table in the home corner, children are constantly encountering meaningful maths in context. Staff enhance this learning through timely interactions, open‑ended questioning and small‑group challenges that extend thinking.

We follow a mastery approach, ensuring that children revisit concepts regularly and apply them in a range of situations. Activities are adapted so all learners can succeed, with challenge offered through deeper thinking rather than accelerated content. This supports children in developing fluency, confidence and independence.

Above all, we aim for children to develop a positive attitude to mathematics. By offering playful experiences, opportunities to investigate and time to explore ideas at their own pace, we nurture curiosity and enjoyment. Our approach ensures that children leave Reception with a secure understanding of early number concepts, ready to build upon their learning as they move into Key Stage 1.

Learning Through Play and Exploration

We value all seven areas of the EYFS curriculum and celebrate children’s achievements, strengths and interests. Through carefully planned continuous provision, children access learning opportunities across all areas each day. Many experiences naturally develop multiple skills simultaneously—for example, role play supports language development, imagination and social skills, while construction and modelling develop counting, positional language, spatial awareness and fine motor control.

Personalised and Inclusive Learning

Each week is thoughtfully planned to provide personalised learning experiences that reflect children’s interests, next steps and individual needs. Learning includes a balance of adult-led teaching and child-initiated activities, empowering children to become independent, motivated learners. We provide rich opportunities for learning both indoors and outdoors in all weathers, recognising the vital role that physical activity and outdoor exploration play in early development.

At Olney Infant Academy, our Foundation Stage is a place where children feel safe, valued and inspired—laying strong foundations for confident learners and happy, successful futures.

Foundation Stage Curriculum Meeting for Parents 2025-2026