We Teach The EYFS
The Early Years Foundation Stage ( EYFS ) sets the standards for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years old. All OFSTED registered early years providers must follow the EYFS , including childminders, preschools, nurseries and school reception classes.
To help you understand more about the EYFS Curriculum we have listed below its four key principles and also its Seven areas of learning.
The Four Principles
A Unique Child
This is based on the principle that every child is a competent learner and can be resilient, capable and confident.
Positive Relationships
This highlights the importance of children having loving and secure relationships with parents and Carers, in order to become strong and independent.
Enabling Environments
This recognizes the key role a child’s environment plays in supporting and extending their development and learning.
Learning & Development
This is based on the knowledge that children develop and learn in different ways and that all areas of learning are interconnected and equally important.
The Seven Areas of Learning
These areas combine together to make up the skills, knowledge and experiences that babies and children acquire as they grow, learn and develop. The prime areas are Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Physical Development and Communication and Language. These are fundamental because they work together to support development in the other areas.
1 – Personal, Social and Emotional Development
This area looks at supporting children to develop a sense of themselves, social skills and respect for others and a positive disposition to learn. Children’s emotional well-being also needs to be supported in order to help them understand and manage their feelings and behavior.
2 – Physical Development
This area looks at supporting children in using their senses and bodies to explore the world around them and make connections between new and existing knowledge. They should have the chance to be active and interact with things to improve their skills of coordination, control, manipulation and movement. Children also need to develop an understanding of healthy living practices.
3 – Communication and Language
This area looks at supporting children’s developing competence in listening and understanding as well as speaking and communicating. Children should be given opportunities to build these skills and gain confidence to use them in a range of situations.
4 – Literacy
This area focuses on learning the skills needed for reading and writing.
5 – Mathematics
This area looks at supporting children to develop their understanding of numbers, calculating, shapes, space and measures.
6 – Understanding the World
This area looks at supporting children in developing the knowledge, skills and understanding to help them make sense of their world. They should be able to explore creatures, people, plants and objects and undertake practical ‘experiments.’
7 – Expressive Arts and Design
This area looks at supporting children in developing their creativity by providing a range of opportunities, materials and media in which to express themselves and use their imaginations. The children should be encouraged to explore and share their thoughts, feelings and ideas.
We Teach British Values
We value all of our children and families and as an inclusive setting we promote mutual respect. We want our children to be independent learners so that they can make their own choices and build and develop strong relationships and friendships with lots of people. We expect children to join in and try their best and to follow our simple rules. All of these things are the foundations for growing in to good citizens and promote the ‘British Values’ of democracy, the rule of the law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance.
Democracy
Sharing ideas and experiences.
Children plan their own activities.
Sharing resources, learning materials and toys.
Mutual Respect
We understand that all children are different and they all develop at different rates with different needs.
We work hard to build relationships with all of our different families.
We celebrate different special occasions that are important to our families and the wider world.
Individual Liberty
Children can spend part of the day choosing their own activity.
Children can choose whether to work inside or outside at different times.
Children can choose what snack they would like from a selection.
We celebrate children’s individual interests and incorporate them in to planning.
The Rule of Law
We teach all children to follow our simple rules with support.
Children understand why we need to have simple rules – to keep us safe and make things fair.
Our policies and procedures make sure we are consistent and have clear expectations that all are aware of.
Tolerance to those of different faiths and beliefs
We promote respect and tolerance for different people, faiths, cultures and languages.
We have positive images reflecting diversity.
We ensure we offer children exposure to a wide range of cultures over the time they are with us.
A Typical Day Learning At Nursery
Although each day is structured and built around the EYFS Curriculum there is no such thing as a typical day in Nursery.
We respond to the children’s needs and interests so that every day looks different while at the same time keeping a certain level of rhythm to each day so that children have a mixture of both group and independent learning, play, rest and creative time.
Learning takes place both inside and outside every day, so it is important that children come suitably dressed.
The format and structure of the day also changes over the course of the years our Children are with us because what is appropriate for Children in their first months at Nursery can be very different to when we are helping to prepare children for their first steps in to primary education.
The provision in the classrooms will also alter to reflect the needs of the children therefore the appearance of the classroom will alter over the course of the year.