Learning / OFSTED
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
The revised Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) came into force from September 2014 and all early years settings have to conform to it to ensure they are offering relevant and individual learning opportunities to all children. The Framework outlines the learning and development, assessment and safeguarding and welfare requirements that early years providers, such as us, must meet to ensure children learn and develop well, and are kept healthy and safe
The EYFS is based on 4 principles...
- Unique child – every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured;
- Positive relationships - children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships;
- Enabling environments – the environment (i.e. the setting) plays a key role in supporting and extending children’s development and learning;
- Learning & development – children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates. All areas of learning and development are as important as each other and all are inter-related
There are 7 aspects of learning and development.
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development - Children are provided with experiences and support which help them to develop a positive sense of themselves and others, form positive relationships and develop respect for each other. Children are supported to develop social skills, learn how to manage their feelings, understand appropriate behaviour in groups and have confidence in their own abilities.
- Communication and Language - Children are provided the opportunity to experience a rich language environment, encouraged to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves, and to speak and listen in a range of situations.
- Physical Development - The physical development of young children is encouraged through the provision of opportunities for them to be active and to improve their skills of coordination, control, manipulation and movement. Children are supported in developing their understanding of the importance of physical activity and making healthy choices in relation to food.
- Literacy - Children are encouraged to link sounds and letters and to begin to read and write. Children are given a wide range of reading materials to ignite their interest.
- Mathematics - Children are provided with opportunities to develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems, describe shapes, spaces and measures.
- Understanding of the World - Children are given guidance to make sense of their physical world and their community. They are given opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment.
- Expressive Arts and Design - Children are able to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials. Children are given the opportunity to share their thoughts, ideas and feelings through art, music, movement, dance, role-play and design and technology.
Learning Through Play
Play helps young children to learn and develop through doing and talking, which research has shown to be the means by which young children learn to think. Our setting uses the guidance from the Early Years Foundation Stage to plan and provide a range of play activities which help children to make progress in each of the areas of learning and development. In some of these activities children decide how they will use the activity and, in others, an adult takes the lead in helping the children to take part in the activity and build on their skills.
