The Foundation Stage of any curriculum is by its very nature about foundation skills. These include personal, social and emotional development, communication and language as well as physical development. Where the Cambridge and CAPS curricula differ substantially is in the timing of these skills. For e.g. when children begin to read, write and apply their knowledge of mathematical concepts alongside early experiences in science and technology.
Cambridge Curriculum Difference:
The Cambridge curriculum starts focusing on these skills in Nursery and Reception when the children are between the ages of 3.5 and 5. The CAPS curriculum does so when the children are turning 7. The below shows how the different year groups and ages are set out in the two different frameworks:
Key Stages vs. Phases:
The Cambridge Curriculum is divided into different Key Stages and the SA Caps curriculum is divided into different phases:
Holistic Development vs. Phased Development
The Cambridge Early Years Framework focuses on developing learners who are confident, engaged, responsible, innovative and reflective in all the learning areas. The SA Early Childhood Development curriculum is divided into six early learning and development areas.
The Cambridge Pathway is a more subject-specific learning structure. Key Stage 1 covers all Cambridge subjects. The SA CAPS curriculum has a more formal structured learning environment from the Foundation Phase to Grade 1.
*In the Cambridge Pathway, the introduction of an additional language usually happens when the children reach Key Stage 2, however, some school contexts may introduce it earlier.
Consistency is Key
As with most learning, consistency is key and this is even more so in the early years when foundational literacy and numeracy skills are being taught. It is not advisable to change curriculums in the foundation stage. The expectations and explorations are very different between these two curriculums. It could lead to potentially creating gaps in the learning of these foundational skills.
The ISCT Difference
At ISCT, we have seen how our children have benefitted and developed, following the Cambridge Pathway in its scope and in its sequencing. It is always such a pleasure to see the learning that our children experience as they move from Nursery all the way through to Key Stage 1 and beyond. This is all part of our mission to equip students with the skills needed for an ever-changing world and a passion for a lifetime of learning.
At ISCT, we have seen how our children have benefitted and developed through our commitment to following the Cambridge curriculum in its scope and in its sequencing. It is always such a pleasure to see the learning that our children experience as they move from Nursery all the way through to Key Stage 1 and beyond – which is all part of our mission to equip students with the skills needed for an ever-changing world and a passion for a lifetime of learning.
