Setting the Standards for Learning, Development and Care for Children from Birth to Five

From September 2008 all settings providing childcare and education for children from birth to five years are required to follow The Early Years Foundation Stage.
Below is a brief outline of the new framework. The EYFS is divided into four distinct but complementary themes, which guide the work of all practitioners.

A Unique Child
Every child is a competent learner from birth who can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.

Positive Relationships
Children learn to be strong and independent from a base of loving and secure relationships with parents and/or a key person.

Enabling Environments
The environment plays a key role in supporting and extending children’s development and learning.

Learning and Development
Children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates and all areas of Learning and Development are equally important.

Areas of learning

The Learning and Development theme consists of six areas of learning; each area is divided into aspects.
The aspects for each area are:

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

1. Dispositions and attitudes
2. Self-confidence and self-esteem
3. Making relationships
4. Behaviour and self control
5. Self care
6. Sense of community

Communication, Language and Literacy

1. Language for communication
2. Language for thinking
3. Linking sounds and letters
4. Reading
5. Writing
6. Handwriting

Problem Solving, reasoning and Numeracy

1. Numbers as labels and for counting
2. Calculating
3. Shape, Space and Measures

Knowledge and Understanding of the World

1. Exploration and Investigation
2. Designing and Making
3. ICT
4. Time
5. Place
6. Communities

Physical Development

1. Movement and Space
2. Health and Bodily Awareness
3. Using Equipment and Materials

Creative Development

1. Being creative – Responding to experiences, expressing and communicating ideas
2. Exploring media and ideas
3. Creating music and dance
4. Developing imagination and imaginative play

Assessment

Ongoing assessment is an integral part of the Learning and Development process. At First steps we make observations and assessments of the achievements and interests of each child. We use these observations to identify learning priorities and plan learning experiences for each child. During the final year of The EYFS, The Early Years Foundation Stage Profile is completed for each child. It is based on the observations and assessments made in all six areas of the Learning and Development principle. We value your support, and the information you share with us regarding your child, helps us to develop personalised learning opportunities for the children.