The Early Years Foundation Stage
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) here at St Paul’s C of E Primary School consists of the Nursery and Reception Classes.
The Early Years Foundation Stage is the first stage prior to the National Curriculum, focusing on the distinct needs of children aged three to the end of the Reception year. Every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to fulfill their potential. Children develop quickly in the early years and a child’s experiences between birth and age five have a major impact on their future life chances. A secure, safe and happy childhood is important in its own right. Good parenting and high quality early learning together provide the foundation children need to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow up.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets the standards that all early years’ providers must meet to ensure that children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. It promotes teaching and learning to ensure children’s ‘school readiness’ and gives children the broad range of knowledge and skills that provide the right foundation for good future progress through school and life
The EYFS learning and development requirements comprise:
• the seven areas of learning and development and the educational programmes (described below: 3 Prime & 4 Specific)
• the early learning goals (ELGs), which summarise the knowledge, skills and understanding that all young children should have gained by the end of the Reception year; and
7 areas of learning
3 Prime Areas:
Communication & Language CL
Physical Development PD
Personal, Social & Emotional Development PSED
4 Specific Areas: through which prime areas are strengthened and applied
Literacy
Mathematics
Understanding the world
Expressive arts and design
ELG—Prime Areas
CL—Listening & attention, Understanding, Speaking
PD—Moving & Handling, Health & Self-care
PDED—Self confidence & Self awareness, Managing Feelings&
behaviour, Making Relationships
ELG—Specific Areas
Literacy—Reading, Writing
Mathematics—Numbers, Shape Space & Measure
Understanding The World—People & Communities, The World,
Technology
Expressive Arts & Design—Exploring and using Media and Materials, Being Imaginative
This period is important and prepares children for later learning. Children encounter new experiences; they explore the world around them, ask questions, extend their skills, develop confidence and build on what they already know. Staff in the EYFS plan a wide range of opportunities for children to learn both indoors and outdoors. The planning is built on what the children know and can do. Sometimes activities are planned for particular learning needs and sometimes the children initiate and develop their own learning. Both provide opportunities for children to work together and share experiences. The children have an individual Profile, where the stepping stones are assessed and their progress is noted.