The Foundation Stage is the term used for the phase of education for children aged 3 to 5, including nursery and reception classes. The Foundation Stage has its own curriculum based on six areas of learning: Personal, social and emotional development Communication, language and literacy Mathematical development Knowledge and understanding of the world Physical development Creative development Each area of learning has a set of ‘early learning goals'.
The Foundation Stage is the government label for education for pupils aged 3 to 5 in England. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) published “Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage†in 2000, and is the document upon which all Foundation Stage provision is planned, and which outlines the expected learning for pupils of this age.