Gateway Foundation Schools (for children of 2 ½ to 5 years) offer a stimulating learning experience
Gateway Foundation Schools located within Gateway Colleges Rajagiriya, Bambalapitiya, Kandy and Negombo are able to share best practices of the British System of Education with Gateway’s own four Kindergartens in Oxford, UK.
At Gateway, the period from age 2 ½ to 5 is described as the Foundation Stage. Gateway’s Foundation schools are structured into Play Group (2½ to 3½ years), Nursery (3½ to 4½ years) and Kindergarten (4½ to 5½ years).It is a distinct stage and important both in its own right and in preparing children for later schooling. Gateway’s curriculum is carefully structured with provision at the Play Group for the different starting points and then to continuously build at Nursery and Kindergarten until they reach the Early Learning Goals. The curriculum at Foundation stage is essentially a mixed one bringing in the best practices from Montessori, Pre-School methods etc. Various themes incorporated throughout the year make learning fun and exciting.
The programme of study in the Foundation Stage as set out by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority of United Kingdom incorporates seven aspects of learning. They are:
Personal, social and emotional development Physical development Communication and Language Literacy Mathematics Understanding of the world Expressive Art & Design
At Play Group, we practise the concept of ‘Learn through Play’. Well planned play, both indoors and outdoors, is a key way in which young children learn with enjoyment and challenge. During the two years at Nursery and Kindergarten, children are provided with the necessary support to reach the early learning goals in the seven aspects above. ICT (Computing), swimming and athletics are introduced at Kindergarten level.
Gateway’s Foundation Schools consist of many colourful classrooms with separate reading corners, a spacious music room, a multipurpose room with a mini library, an IT suite and an indoor play room. The outdoor play area is equipped with the most modern equipment to provide meaningful physical development for kids.
Gateway is committed to provide a caring environment with experienced and trained staff to ensure that the children get the correct guidance required at this tender age. With modern techniques, up-to-date facilities, best of care and loving staff, Gateway ensures that the children not only get the right start, but also a bright one. Gateway believes that Parents too play an important role in the child’s development and strongly considers them as their Partners in Progress.
Gateway believes in getting children to read early
Literacy is a learned skill, not a biological awakening. It is for this reason that the Foundation School, ensure that all children are provided with the necessary language, cognitive, and early reading skills for continued success in school.
In order to develop reading skills very early, Gateway introduced the “Jolly Phonics” programme four years ago. Jolly Phonics, the most popular synthetic phonics programme in the United Kingdom is now widely accepted and used in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The programme initially introduces young children to 42 sounds rather than the 26 letters in the alphabet. The scheme has the following as the basic skills: