EYFS

The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum

The period from birth to the end of Reception is described as The Early Years Foundation Stage. It is a distinct stage and important in its own right in preparing children for later schooling.

Play is at the forefront of The Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum.  Through play your child will be encouraged to learn new skills and practise skills they have already acquired.  Play is important for children's all round physical, emotional, intellectual and social development.

The Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum is divided into 7 areas of learning and development:

The Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage states that "All areas of learning and development are important and interconnected.  Three areas are particularly crucial for igniting children's curitosity and enthusiasm for learning and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive".

The three prime areas are:

• Communication and Language
• Physical Development
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development

The four specific areas "through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied" are:

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the World
• Expressive Arts and Design

Children in the EYFS learn by playing and exploring, being active, and through creative thinking.  It is very important that children develop social skills, such as turn-taking, sharing and independence, which help them greatly in the next stages of their learning. During the day the children will take part in activities covering all aspects of The Earlly Years Foundation Stage curriculum, sometimes individually, in small groups or as a whole class.  The curriculum will be taught both indoors and outdoors.

The 7 areas of learning within the EYFS are broken down into 17 Early Learning Goals which appear in the following document.  Children are aiming the achieve or exceed these Early Learning Goals.