ABSTRACT
The Foundation Stage in England and Wales begins when children are 3 years of age and extends to the end of the Reception year at age 5. Established in 2000, this phase is distinct in its own right and established a curriculum separate from that followed by primary aged pupils (5-11). As a major milestone in education policy, it identified the very particular needs of children attending nurseries, playgroups and childminders as well as Reception classes in schools, and laid down a common framework to meet these needs with a separate philosophy and underlying principles. It articulated the process through which children learn in terms of knowledge, skills, concepts and attitudes in six areas of learning, as contained in the Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage (DfEE, 2000):
• Personal, social and emotional development;
• Communication, language and literacy; • Mathematical development;
• Knowledge and understanding of the world;
• Physical development; • Creative development.
