What is FS1 in the British Curriculum? A Parent’s Guide to Nursery

If you are considering a school that follow the British Curriculum for your child, you may have come across the term FS1, or Foundation Stage 1. But what does FS1 actually mean? And how does it fit into your child’s early education? Or maybe you have even asked yourself, “What is FS1??”

FS1 (Foundation Stage 1), also known as Nursery, refers to the first year of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which is the UK’s framework for early childhood education. It typically caters to children aged 3 to 4 years old. This stage comes before FS2 (Foundation Stage 2), which is often equivalent to Reception in the UK. The framework, however, covers children from birth and will be used in preschools or childminders before children

In FS1, the focus is not on formal academics, but on helping children learn through play, exploration, and interaction. Activities are designed to support development across key areas such as:

Personal, social, and emotional development
Communication and language
Physical development
Understanding the world
Literacy and early Numeracy
Understanding of the World
Expressive Art and Design

As all children are different, teachers and early years practitioners in FS1 observe each child closely to understand their interests and learning styles. The aim is to create a rich, supportive environment where children feel confident, safe, and curious. These feelings help them learn more in the long term.

FS1 is an important stepping stone in preparing children for FS2 and later formal schooling. It lays the foundation (hence the name) for key skills like sharing, listening, problem-solving, and following routines.