The comments below have been cut from introductory and other posts on the forum and from email replies on registration - all during the last few months since the Foundation Stage Forum was launched. Additionally, we kick off with a description of this online community from the Foundation Stage resource page of the Teachernet website.
In the end, it's all about Quality Honking! Find out more here
...An online community of Foundation Stage professionals, this site includes relevant articles, sample policies and the invaluable forums allowing you to get in touch with others involved in education for 3-5-year-olds. Documents covering the Stepping Stones are available to download. (Teachernet: Foundation Stage Resources)
...I've just finished teaching after 8 years, the last four in the foundation stage. In September I'm starting a new job as a college lecturer on the Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies. This is an excellent site, congratulations - I'll be pointing my students in your direction!...
...Hi my name is Gaynor and I have just discovered this site and immediately felt a sense of relief reading everyone's comments…I really feel like I need some advice and this has been the only source that seems to offer practical help from people that are actually in the classoom and not just writing about it....
...I found this wonderful site by accident in mid-January and can only say it's the best 'accident' I have ever had!... It is great to know I am not alone when I have had a bad day!...
...I'm so pleased to have found this forum, and have just read through lots of posts about the FSP - how great to see that we all have the same concerns! I've been a very happy Reception teacher for five years ...It's good to see that I'm not alone! I hope I have the time to look at this forum regularly as this may well be my sanity saver. ...
...Thank you so much. I just got a job in Reception and I've hardly any experience with this age group so it is so, so useful to be able to use the forum. Thank goodness I discovered it....
...I am so glad I found your site last night as I had a job interview today for the post of Foundation Stage teacher and I was able to get some up-to-date information on planning and assessing as I have not taught Reception for a few years. Guess what - I got the job - so thanks very much! ...
...the article on Wales proposals is really interesting and I've found it really helpful, it's so much better to use this website to find info rather than trawling through loads + loads of non relevent info. THANKS ...
... I found this site a couple of weeks ago and was amazed at the wealth of info and sharing of ideas. I've just moved into reception class in September from being a Year 2 teacher... thanks to all those who shared ideas etc. on this site for not sending me into total panic mode....
...Thanks for your welcome message. I was absolutely thrilled to come across this site and spent about 2 hours finding my way around and reading various questions. Excellent, Excellent, Excellent. Please keep up the good work....
...I'm loving this site - so good to share fears and ideas! ...
...Thanks for your words of welcome! I am very excited about this site. I am a teacher of many years, now the Foundation Stage Manager for a school. I am also an IV for NVQ so am very interested in not only the education of our children, but our Practitioners too...
...I've spent hours trawling the web in order to find a decent site that might help me with Early Years education and I've found it! I'm doing my best to promote the Forum by mentioning it to everyone I see who works with young children...
...I am part of a new team in Bolton - Area Special Educational Needs co-ordinators. Hope to hear from similar through the forum, its a great resource for Early Years practitioners ...
...While I am here though, [I'd like to say that] I think that the website is really brilliant! I am definately going to be using it regularly. I went on a profile course on Monday and told loads of other E.Y. teachers about it...
...I would just like to add that this forum is amazing. It is so nice to be able to share ideas with like-minded people and helps to ensure that we are delivering some fantastic learning opportunities. As an NQT I can't say what a help this site is....well done! ...
...I think you guys are doing a wonderful job. I stumbled on your site by mistake and I must it is the best yet. What else will do than an open notice board to learn from others' experiences and to share yours. I have already benefited from others advice on assessing and keeping records and also on ideas for PE. Do keep the good work up and God Bless! ...
...I have just returned to college for my second year with the NVQ3, so no doubt I will need some advice. I work full time at a nursery school and am fortunate my boss pays for me to do the course... Thanks for the site. I emailed it to my boss and she also thinks it's great. ...
...I'm new to this site - what a wonderful site it is! Thanks to all those who gave me advice on my moderation visit (which was today!). It went very well considering I havent as yet had any training...
...I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all of the insight you have given me, from policiies to everyday recipes... This is a fantastic site, I use it to fight my corner regularly. It's a case of "Oh no she's got a quote again!!" ...
...I currently work part-time as an Early years practitioner and part-time as an EY NVQ Assessor. Your site looks brilliant; I'm looking forward to checking it out fully in the holidays - I'm sure you're aware it's the 'end of term madness!'...
...I am really enjoying being part of the forum so far. It gives you a real buzz when you get a reply. I am hooked now!!...
...I hope to contribute as I get more confident with the layout of the forum. Can I take the opportunity to say that it is a much needed thing you have set up, and that it is supremely well organised. I hope it becomes a great success. I shall tell all my colleagues about it....
...Thanks for the kind email welcoming me to your site. Just getting the hang of internet use as I am a relatively new surfer, came across your site and it looked really interesting…hope we can keep in touch ... nice to know others are out there!!...
...Thanks for such a great site - Its wonderful to be able to contact colleagues with such varied methods and ideas. Sometimes I feel that I get stuck in my classroom [and] not keeping more up to date with what others are doing, or trying out... [this gives me] an insight into other schools from the 'comfort of my own desk'...
...But there is still a lot to do, so being able to share ideas, concerns and frustrations with others who are going throught the same thing will be great - thanks for setting up this site - I will pass on the details locally at our next reception teachers network meeting....
...I know you keep hearing this from people on the forum, but this really is a great site. I think you are doing a fantastic job!...
...I've just recently come across this site and now seem to be quite addicted! Hence sitting here on a Sunday evening at 11pm! i have got loads of brilliant ideas (much needed) for my new class come September… THANK YOU for a FAB site...
...Just found this website via Nursery Education magazine. Within my first hour on here, I've already found things that are extremly helpful. Many many thanks! I’m a nursery manager for a 27 place in Sydenham. I’ve been in childcare for 16 yrs and I'm also a qualified tutor and assessor in NVQ childcare. ...
...I think this site is brilliant. Its wonderful to be able to offload or share with others and so reassuring that my problems/ frustrations are not just mine but global... Please don't disappear!...
...Just to let U all know we had our accreditation validated last week and passed... Comments were about the submission being 'stunning'!! and we are obviously committed to providing quality childcare. Also that we should be sharing our work with others... (think we probably do that but not perhaps in the way they expect!!)...
