The Early Years Foundation Stage is the period of learning and development from birth to the end of their first year in school (Reception). It is called the Early Years Foundation Stage because it gives children secure foundations to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow up. The EYFS Framework describes how playgroups, day nurseries, childminders, nursery (F1) and reception classes (F2) should work with children and their families to support their development and learning. It describes how your child should be kept safe and cared for and how all concerned can make sure that your child achieves the most that they can in their earliest years of life. This framework is based on four important principles:

 

A unique child– Every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.
This means we recognise that children develop in individual ways and at varying rates. We are inclusive and ensure that no child or family is discriminated against, and that the health, well being and safety of the children in our care is paramount.

 

Positive Relationships – Children learn to be strong and independent from a base of loving and secure relationships.  We see parents as partners - when parents & Nursery staff work together, it has a positive impact on children’s development and learning. 

 

Enabling Environments – Children learn and develop well in enabling environments in which their experiences respond to their individual needs and there is a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and/or carers.  By giving the children a rich and varied learning environment, making use of both inside and outside areas, we support every child in their learning and development. Activities are planned by observing the children in order to understand their individual needs.

 

Learning and Development— Children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates. The framework covers the education and care of all children in early years provision, including children with special educational needs and disabilities.  We recognise that play is a child’s work and that children learn best through physical and mental challenges. Playing is the child’s way of discovering the world around him/her and how it works. Play is a natural vehicle for learning because it motivates young children. Learning experiences with a variety of materials provide opportunities for exploration and experimentation, construction and representation, creation and imagination, learning skills and concepts, repetition, consolidation, socialisation and emotional security. Early experiences affect children’s attitudes to learning. They create the basis for later learning.

 

 

 

The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum
There are seven areas of learning and development, all of which are important and interconnected. The prime areas, which are crucial for building children’s capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive, are:

 

 

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

 

 

In Foundation Stage, we endeavour to provide educational programmes that involve activities and experiences for children, as follows:

 

 

In this section

 

Overview of Nursery Curriculum Themes: 2020-2021

 

Core Stories

Number stories