Foundation Stage - Foljambe Primary School

Foundation stage

Welcome to our Early Years Foundation Stage

Starting school is an exciting step for children and their families. At Foljambe, our Early Years Foundation Stage provides a happy, caring and stimulating environment where children feel safe, valued and confident to explore the world around them.

We build strong relationships with every child, placing wellbeing, inclusion and safeguarding at the heart of all we do. Through high-quality teaching and thoughtfully planned experiences, children develop socially, emotionally, physically and academically at their own pace. Our aim is to nurture confident, resilient and independent learners who are ready and excited for the next stage of their learning journey.

Applying for EYFS

Families are invited to register their child for a nursery place by contacting the school office. This can be done at any time from birth up to the term before your child will turn 3 years old.

01709 850569

office@foljambeprimary.org

Application for School (FS2 4/5 Year Olds)

Families must complete the RMBC application form before the deadline in January.

Please note: existing FS1 children are not guaranteed a school place and families will still need to apply for FS2.

Click the button below to find out more about School Admissions.

FS1 / Nursery (3-4 Year Old)

Morning Session Times

8.45am – 11.45am

(Door closes at 9am)

Afternoon Session Times

12.15pm – 3.15pm

(Door closes at 12.30pm)

All 3 to 4-year-olds in England are entitled to 570 free hours of childcare per year. At Foljambe, this equates to 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year. Your child will stay for either a daily morning session or a daily afternoon session.

Are you eligible for 30 hours of free childcare per week?

You may be able to get 30 hours of free childcare a week through the Free Childcare for Working Parents scheme. Your child must be aged 9 months to 4 years old and you must live in England.

To be eligible for Free Childcare for Working Parents, you (and your partner if you have one) will need to be in work or about to start a new job. You (and your partner) will also need to earn over a certain amount. You will need a National Insurance number to apply.

Please note, should you wish for your child to stay at school for the full 5 days sessions this equates to 32.5 hours. There is an additional cost for the extra 2.5 hours, or you can choose to collect your child early on a Friday afternoon.

Additional Costings (From January 2026)

Although the childcare is free (please see dropdown above), you will be asked to pay for the following extras:

Additional optional cost for a 30 hour child who is staying all week – £10 (for the additional 2.5 hours childcare)
FS1 school dinner cost – £2.50
Cost for additional hour’s childcare over lunch period – £3.00
Cost per additional session (morning or afternoon) – £13
Additional activities, such as trips (cost per visit / experience TBC at the time of booking)

Lunchtime Arrangements

Children who stay for lunch are supported by staff in the dining hall between 11:45am and 12:30pm.

Hot dinners are available at a cost of £2.50 per day
Alternatively, children may bring a home-packed lunch

Our lunchtime supervision ensures that all children eat safely, enjoy their meals, and have a positive social experience with their friends. Supervising staff are paediatric first aid trained.

What Children Need to Bring

Clearly labelled bag with a spare change of clothes
Clearly labelled water bottle
Clearly labelled outdoor clothing such as a waterproof coat and wellington boots
Clearly labelled packed lunch if required

Curriculum

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the official framework in England that sets standards for the learning, development, and care of children from birth to age five (the end of Reception year in school).

FS Curriculum

Here at Foljambe, our ambitious Early Years curriculum nurtures a love of learning and helps children become confident and independent. We value each child’s unique experiences, working closely with parents and carers to ensure they reach their full potential. Our curriculum covers all seven areas of learning:

Communication & Language
Personal, Social & Emotional Development
Physical Development
Literacy
Mathematics
Understanding the World
Expressive Arts & Design

Play is at the heart of our approach, with a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities both indoors and outdoors. Children learn through exploration, guided teaching, observation and purposeful interactions – with carefully planned resources that encourage creativity and problem-solving.

We offer an inclusive environment where every child is supported to grow and develop. Through a wide range of enrichment opportunities – including school trips and hands-on experiences – we bring learning to life and broaden children’s horizons. Ongoing assessment against the Early Learning Goals ensures that our teaching is tailored to each child’s individual needs, helping them build confidence, develop new skills and be fully prepared for the next step in education.

Phonics

We use Little Wandle as our Phonics scheme.

Get In Touch

For more information about our EYFS provision, or to arrange a tour around our school, please email office@foljambeprimary.org or call 01709 850569.

Wickersley Partnership Trust

Our school is proud to be part of Wickersley Partnership Trust (WPT), which connects us with seven other primary schools across Rotherham. This partnership supports us in delivering excellent Early Years education through shared training, curriculum development and moderation, ensuring every child benefits from a consistent, inclusive and well-supported learning experience.