Early Learning Goals

The Foundation Stage was introduced into Early Years Settings in 2000 and includes children from the age of three to the end of the Reception year in school at which time the children will be expected to achieve the Early Learning Goals (ELGs) which are divided into six areas: Physical Development; Mathematical Development; Creative Development; Knowledge and Understanding of the World; Language and Literacy; and Personal, Social and Emotional Development.

The following are some examples of what the children will be expected to achieve from the six ELG's and are taken from the DFEE (Department for Education and Employment) QCA Booklet entitled Early Learning Goals.

Physical Development:

• Move with confidence, imagination and safety
• Move with control and co-ordination
• Use a range of small and large equipment
• Travel around, under, through and over balancing and climbing equipment

Mathematical Development:

• Count reliably up to 10 everyday objects
• Recognise numerals 1 to 9
• Talk about, recognise and recreate simple patterns
• Use everyday words to describe position and size

Creative Development:

• Explore colour, texture, shape, form and space in 2D and 3D
• Respond in a variety of ways to what they se, hear, smell, touch and feel
• Use their imagination in art and design, music, dance, imaginative and role play and stories
• Recognise and explore how sounds can be changed, sing simple songs from memory, recognise repeated sounds and sound patterns and match movements to music

Knowledge and Understanding of the World:

• Investigate objects and materials using all o their senses
• Ask Questions about shy things happen and how they work
• Observe, find out about and identify features in the place they live and the natural world
• Find out about their environment and features that they like and dislike

Language and Literacy:

• Explore and experiment with sounds, words and texts
• Extend vocabulary exploring meaning and sounds of new words
• Attempt writing for various purposes using features of different forms such as lists, stories and instructions
• Use a pencil and hold it efficiently to form recognisable letters most of which are correctly formed

Personal, Social and Emotional Development:

• Be interested, excited and motivated to learn
• Maintain attention, concentrate and sit quietly when appropriate
• Develop respect for people, other cultures, own beliefs and those of others
• Understand what is right and wrong and why