Doha College EYFS booklet

A new adventure WITH DOHA COLLEGE

EARLY YEARS

AN EXCITING NEW LEARNING JOURNEY

A new school adventure is extremely exciting and momentous for any family. As a leading British International School in Qatar, Doha College has over 40 years of experience delivering academic excellence. With our inclusive approach to education, we aspire to ignite every child’s excitement for learning.

Putting children and their needs at the heart of everything we do allows us to adapt to the individual needs of every child that enters Doha College, providing happy and memorable first experiences.

We are a united and forward-thinking school, working together to shape a relevant and multi-skilled education for our young people. For our youngest, we nurture their learning through the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum for England.

Educational research is increasingly recognising that the early stages of a child’s education are fundamental in setting the foundations for their future academic success. At Doha College our outstanding teachers and world-class facilities ensure that our youngest pupils are inspired by a vibrant and exciting learning environment that enables each and every one to thrive in a culture that is always for pupils and never for profit.

DAVID TONGUE, PRINCIPAL

THE EYFS CURRICULUM

The EYFS curriculum is delivered over two years (FS1 and FS2) and provides a positive, stimulating and supportive environment, enabling children to achieve high levels of emotional wellbeing and engagement. Being confident and feeling secure in a learning environment promotes learning.

In EYFS, students explore, discover and develop their skills through a play-based approach and the principles of High Performance Learning, which includes skills such as independence, innovation, creativity, enquiry, and problemsolving. Children initiate their learning and also learn through focused teacher-led activities.

Many additional attributes such as respect, establishing positive relationships, fostering the cultivation of ideas and becoming active, independent learners are also encouraged through seven key identified areas for development:

• Personal, social and emotional development

• Communication and language

• Physical development

• Literacy

• Mathematics

• Understanding the world

• Expressive arts and design

PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

We aim to develop high levels of wellbeing by supporting our students to make positive relationships with adults and other children, manage their feelings and behaviour and develop self-confidence and awareness. Children learn to play co-operatively, taking account of one another’s ideas and show sensitivity to the needs and feelings of others. They also develop the confidence to try new activities, have a go and plan their learning.

COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE

Through imaginative play, games and stories, children naturally develop listening, attention, understanding and speaking skills. We ensure our students are engaged and listen attentively, understanding how to respond appropriately. Children follow instructions and answer questions about their experiences, expressing themselves effectively and developing their narratives and explanations by connecting ideas.

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

We actively encourage knowledge and understanding of the importance of good health and develop skills to manage basic hygiene and personal needs. Children are taught to handle equipment and tools appropriately and are enabled to develop good control and coordination.

LITERACY

Students are taught phonics every day in FS1 through play and in FS2 using the Read Write Inc. (RWI) programme. Children are enabled to practise, apply and master their reading and writing skills through the continuous provision of role play. In addition, each classroom contains inspiring and stimulating library areas and access to the school library resource.

UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD

Children are curious and enquire about the world, people, communities and technology. We promote learning by making observations, talking about features and recognising similarities and differences. The importance of identifying varieties of technology being used and the purpose of its selection is also nurtured.

MATHEMATICS

Children are taught mathematical skills and have access to practise and apply these through challenges and purposeful play, and learning to recognise numerals and count. Exploration in areas such as time, measuring, money and shapes are critical. Students will also focus on practising estimation and finding totals, using mathematical vocabulary and solving problems. Children apply knowledge and skills to identify mathematical problems based on their interests and fascinations.

EXPRESSIVE ARTS AND DESIGN

Children develop their creativity by singing songs, making music, dancing, and experimenting with changing them. By practising and exploring various techniques, tools and materials, students can engineer and construct with a purpose in mind. They are enabled to make choices and select resources independently to achieve their goals. Children develop their imagination by representing their ideas, thoughts and feelings in original ways through design and technology, art, music, dance, role-play and stories.

LANGUAGE AND ISLAMIC STUDIES

Children have four periods of Arabic language each week. In addition, Muslim children have two lessons of Islamic Studies each week, during which time the other children will consolidate learning within the classroom environment.

Muslim students are required to select Islamic Studies and students of Arab nationality are required to select Native Arabic as a mandatory subject option.

LIFE IN EYFS

No two days in EYFS at Doha College are the same. With engaging learning opportunities, child autonomy, and exciting interaction with the Doha College staff, children relish the chance to come to school each day.

A TYPICAL DAY IN EYFS

Children start the day with community-building activities and have the opportunity to explore their learning environment, which is planned and organised to stimulate, motivate and enable learning. Children initiate their learning through play and are supported to develop and apply their skills through the interactions with staff.

SCHOOL TIMINGS

Starting this year, FS1 hours have been extended to match those of the whole school. EYFS timings are 7.15-1.55, with an optional pickup time at 12.30 for FS1, allowing a shorter day for our youngest learners who are still settling into the school routine. Extended care is available to FS1 on Sundays and to FS2 for the entire week, if desired.

SNACKS

We actively encourage healthy and balanced eating with all students at Doha College. It is important to nurture this from a young age, and we positively introduce this in EYFS.

UNIFORM

At Doha College, it is important that all students, whether in EYFS or 6th Form, feel part of the school. Every child is required to wear a uniform, and for EYFS, it is designed to allow students maximum comfortability to embrace the play-based curriculum.

INSPIRING STAFF

Providing an exciting, vibrant, engaging and welcoming environment for every student is impossible without our dedicated, qualified and passionate staff.

Each EYFS class is led by a teacher and supported by a teaching assistant. We also provide dedicated specialist teachers in music and FS2 PE to positively enhance learning at an early age. This encompassing approach to learning allows students at Doha College to flourish through both teacher-led and independent activities in a play-based learning environment.

WE HAVE PLACED EYFS IN THE VERY CENTRE OF DOHA COLLEGE’S MISSION