EYFS

There are seven areas of learning and development in the EYFS curriculum and they are all important and 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.  The three prime areas are:

• Communication and language;

• Physical development;

• Personal, social and emotional development.

There are also four specific areas, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied:

• Literacy;

• Mathematics;

• Understanding the world;

• Expressive arts and design.

Within the seven areas we provide many creative activities and experiences for children, which involve: playing and exploring; active learning and creating and thinking critically.

Communication and language development involves giving children opportunities to experience rich language environment; to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves; and to speak and listen in a range of situations.

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 and to make healthy choices in relation to food.

Personal, social and emotional development involves helping children to develop a positive sense of themselves and others; 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 confidence in their own abilities.

Literacy involves encouraging children to link sounds and letters and to begin to read and write.  Children are given access to a wide range of reading materials (books, poems and other written materials) to ignite their interest.

Mathematics involves providing children with opportunities to develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems; and to describe shapes, spaces and measures.

Understanding the world involves guiding children to make 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 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.

EARLY LEARNING GOALS

The level of progress children are expected to attain by the end of the EYFS is defined by the early learning goals.  Details of these goals are included in the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, a copy of which is available in the school office or can be found online.

The Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP)

Each child’s level of development is assessed against the early learning goals.  Teachers will tell you whether your child is meeting expected levels of development, or if they are exceeding expected levels, or not yet reaching expected levels (‘emerging’).  This is the EYFS Profile.