Ensuring our youngest children achieve success

“Why does the date change every day?”, “How do you make pasta?”, “Did you know lizards can lick their own eyes!”

These curious questions and delightful comments are exactly why I've dedicated my entire career to Early Years education. I can't imagine doing anything else!

My name is Gilly McMahon, though at BISS, most people know me as Mrs Mac. Originally from Scotland, I moved to Sweden with my husband and daughter in 2001.

Since joining BISS in 2002, it has been my privilege to be part of such a vibrant school and community. I'm incredibly proud of our commitment to "Empowering people to be their best," and I’m deeply loyal to our shared vision.

What is the Foundation Stage at BISS?

Relocating to a new country and adapting to a different school system can be quite a challenge! From understanding different educational approaches to adapting to new curriculums, there are also language barriers to contend with, such as new and unfamiliar terminology. 

The term "The Foundation Stage" in education refers to the crucial early years of a child’s schooling, typically covering ages 3 to 5, including nursery and reception classes in the UK and similar early years education settings elsewhere. It is called "The Foundation Stage" because it establishes the essential foundation for all future learning and development.

It is named “The Foundation Stage” because it focuses on establishing a solid base for future learning. Just as a strong building needs a reliable foundation to support its structure, young children need a solid foundation from which they can progress. This unique period in a child’s education is designed to nurture fundamental skills across seven areas of learning:

Prime areas (fundamental to children accessing the specific areas of learning): 

• Personal, social and emotional development

• Physical development

• Communication and Language

Specific areas:

• Mathematical development

• Literacy

• Knowledge and understanding of the world 

• Expressive art and design

School is often seen as primarily an academic endeavour, and this is true. However, for academic development to take place, certain foundational skills are absolutely essential. Children cannot succeed in learning to read and write unless these building blocks are firmly established.

At BISS, we focus on each child’s individual learning journey to ensure that these foundations are strong, setting the stage for future success. Illustrated below are the fundamental skills that we support our children to develop and learn.