FOLLOWING THE EYFS

Following The EYFS

What Is The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) 2023

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) 2023 is a comprehensive document designed for early years providers, aiming to support your child's learning and development from birth to five years old. It is mandatory for all early year’s providers to adhere to the guidelines and principles outlined in the EYFS 2023.

What Does Well Rounded Learning Look Like?

The Early Years Foundation Stage 2023 (EYFS 2023) outlines seven distinct areas of learning, each designed to provide a comprehensive framework for fostering children's development during their early years. These areas encompass a wide range of skills, knowledge, and experiences that contribute to a holistic and well-rounded foundation for children's growth.

These seven areas of learning are interconnected and play a crucial role in providing a well-balanced and holistic foundation for children's growth, development, and readiness for their future educational journey. It is our duty as Early Years providers and educators to create and deliver experiences and activities across these areas, ensuring that children have opportunities to explore, learn, and thrive in all aspects of their development.

Play holds a pivotal role in a child's growth, fostering confidence as they delve into exploration, social interactions, goal-setting, and problem-solving. Children learn both by independently steering their play and by participating in activities guided by adults.

The interconnectedness of the Learning and Development Areas is evident. For instance, fostering communication and language skills lays a foundation for comprehending and articulating mathematical concepts. Enhancing physical abilities empowers children to be more proactive explorers, thereby advancing their progress in grasping the world around them. As their grasp of Understanding the World deepens, their ability to connect with literary content expands, thus nurturing their literacy development. Experiences and endeavours aligned with the Areas of Learning and Development, especially when they grant children autonomy and room to cultivate their own notions, not only enrich their learning but also provide contexts for honing their learning behaviours.

Prime Areas of Learning

Personal, Social & Emotional Development

Literacy development encompasses the foundation of reading and writing skills. Children are exposed to a variety of texts, stories, and opportunities for writing, which aid in developing their phonics awareness, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and early writing abilities.

Physical Development

The mathematics area introduces children to fundamental mathematical concepts through hands-on activities and experiences. It covers numeracy skills, understanding patterns, shapes, measurements, and basic mathematical reasoning.

Communication & Language

This area encourages children to explore and make sense of their environment, community, and the broader world around them. It includes learning about different cultures, nature, science, technology, and how things work.

Specific Areas of Learning

Literacy

Mathematics

Understanding the World

Expressive Arts & Design

FAQ's

Who ensures that registered early years providers follow the EYFS?

The compliance of registered early years providers with the EYFS is ensured through inspections carried out by Ofsted, the official inspection body. Read our latest inspection report here
How do you ensure the safety of my child?

The EYFS 2023 incorporates safeguarding and welfare statutory requirements, dictating the necessary measures we must take to ensure your child's safety. These include maintaining appropriate staff-to-child ratios, ensuring staff suitability, providing secure premises and safe equipment, organizing training and supervision for staff, keeping records of medication administration, implementing data protection measures, having a behaviour management coordinator, and preserving confidentiality.
How else does the EYFS support my child?

The EYFS not only focuses on safety but also emphasizes your child's learning and development. Through play-based teaching and learning approaches, it aims to equip all children with essential skills for their future. Our staff are fully trained to cater to your child's unique needs and ensure their progress through the EYFS.
Who will make sure my child’s learning and care is tailored to them?

Upon enrolment at our setting, your child will be assigned a key person. This individual will be responsible for tailoring your child's learning and care to suit their specific requirements. Regular discussions with you will help us understand your child better, and the key person will also provide ideas for learning activities that can be done at home.
How do you assess my child's development in line with EYFS requirements?

Your child's key person will regularly engage in discussions with you about your child's development and interests to assess their progress both at the setting and at home. Based on these insights, we can plan appropriate and stimulating activities that foster your child's learning. The EYFS requires two formal progress checks: one when your child is between two and three years old, and the other in the final term of the year they turn five.
What if I'm concerned about my child's development?

If you have any concerns regarding your child's progress, don't hesitate to discuss them with your child's key person. Together, you can devise the best support plan for your child. For children with a home language other than English, we offer opportunities to develop and use their native language during play and learning while also ensuring they achieve proficiency in English during their EYFS journey.
How can I find out more?

Feel free to talk to your child's key person, who will gladly address any inquiries you may have. Additionally, you can access a copy of the Statutory and non-statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage 2023 on the Department for Education website here.