Learning & Development

 

The EYFS Framework exists to support all professionals working in the EYFS to help your child , and was developed with a number of early years experts and parents. All  Ofsted-registered early years providers must follow the EYFS

The EYFS: 

  • sets the standards that all early years providers must meet to ensure that children learn and develop well
  • ensures children are kept healthy and safe
  • ensures that children have the knowledge and skills they need to start school
There are seven areas of learning and development that must shape educational programmes in early years settings. All areas of learning and development are important an d inter - connected. Three areas are particularly crucial for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive.

There are three prime areas: 

  • Communication and language development involves giving children opportunities to experience a rich language environment; to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves; and to speak and listen in a range of situations
  • Personal, social and emotional development involves helping children to develop a positive sense of themselves, and o thers; to form positive relationships and develop respect for others; to develop social skills and learn how to manage their feelings; to understand appropriate behaviour in groups; and to have co nfidence in their own abilities
  • Physical development involves providing opportunities for young children to be active and interactive; and to develop their co - ordination, control, and movement. Children must also be helped to understand the importance of physical activity
 

Providers must also support children in four specific areas, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied.

The specific areas are:

  • Literacy development involve s encouraging children to link sounds and letters and to begin to read and write. Children must be given access to a wide range of reading materials (books, poems, and other written mater ials) to ignite their interest
  • Mathematics involves providing childre n with opportunities to develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems; and to descri be shapes, spaces, and measure
  • Understanding the world involves guiding children to ma ke sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment
  •  Expressive arts and design involves enabling children to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials, as well as providing opportunities and encouragement for sharing their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role - play, and design and technology.
The learning and development requirements are informed by the best available evidence on how children learn and reflect the broad range of skills, knowledge and attitudes children need as foundations for good future progress.

Early years providers must guide the development of children’s capabilities with a view to ensuring that children in their care complete the EYFS ready to benefit fully from the opportunities ahead of them.

For further information on the EYFS, please visit https://www.foundationyears.org.uk/files/2015/01/EYFS_Parents_Guide-amended1.pdf