Early Years Foundation Stage

The Early Years Foundation Stage was introduced into Early Years settings in September 2008 and it's aim is to set the standards for learning, development and care for children from birth to five years old.

The four themes of the EYFS are:

A Unique Child:

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

Positive Relationships:

Children learning 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 and inter-connected.

The EYFS is made up of six areas of learning and development. All areas of learning and development are connected to one another, are equally important and are underpinned by the principles of the EYFS.

Each area of learning and development is divided into aspects. The aspects for each area are:

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

• Dispositions and attitudes
• Self-confidence and self-esteem
• Making relationships
• Behaviour and self-control
• Self-care
• Sense of community

Communication, Language and Literacy

• Language for communication
• Language for thinking
• Linking sounds and letters
• Reading
• Writing
• Handwriting

Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy

• Numbers as labels and for counting
• Calculating
• Shape, space and measures

Knowledge and Understanding of the World

• Exploration and investigation
• Designing and making
• ICT
• Time
• Place
• Communities

Physical Development

• Movement and space
• Health and bodily awareness
• Using equipment and materials

Creative Development

• Being creative - responding to experiences, expressing and communicating ideas
• Exploring median and materials
• Creating dusic and dance
• Developing imagination and imaginative play