Early Years Foundation Stage

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. 

In September 2021, a new framework was launched to make it clearer and easier to use, with more focus on the things that matter most.  

The framework:  

  • Sets out 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 is also guidance for the professionals supporting your child on planning the learning activities and observing and assessing what and how your child is learning and developing. 

How will my child be kept safe?  

Much thought has been given to making sure that your child is as safe as possible. Within the EYFS there is a set of welfare standards that everyone must follow. These include the number of staff required, how many children can be in a professional’s care at any one time and things like administering medicines and carrying out risk assessments. 

How can I find out about the quality of education at Weald CPS?  

You can find out about the quality of your child’s nursery and other early years providers in relation to the EYFS Framework by checking what the Government’s official inspection body for early years, Ofsted ,has to say about it. You can find this information at www.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report. 

How will my child be learning?  

The EYFS framework includes 7 areas of learning and development that are equally important and inter-connected. However, 3 areas known as the prime areas are seen as particularly important for igniting curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building children’s capacity to learn, form relationships and to thrive.  

 

The prime areas are: 

  • Communication and language 
  • Physical development 
  • Personal, social and emotional development  

 

The prime areas are strengthened and applied through 4 specific areas: 

  • Literacy 
  • Mathematics 
  • Understanding the world 
  • Expressive arts and design 

 

These 7 areas are used to plan your child’s learning and activities. The professionals teaching and supporting your child will make sure that the activities are suited to your child’s unique needs. This is a little bit like a curriculum in primary and secondary schools, but it’s suitable for very young children, and is designed to be really flexible. 

As a parent, how can I help with my child’s learning? 

All the fun activities that you do with your child at home are important in supporting their learning and development and have a really long lasting impact on your child’s learning as they progress through school. 

Even when your child is very young and is not yet able to talk, talking to them helps them to learn and understand new words and ideas. If you make the time every day to do some of the following things with your child it will make a real difference to your child’s confidence as a young learner. 

If you’re looking for new ideas for things to do then find out what is on offer at your local children’s centre. Many offer ‘messy play’ activities which you and your child can join in with, and many of the activities they provide are free. Staff can also give you advice about the kinds of books or other activities your child might enjoy at different ages. 

How will my child be assessed at the end of the year?   

At the end of the EYFS – in the summer term of the reception year in school – teachers complete an assessment which is known as the EYFS Profile. All of the information collected is used to judge how your child is doing in the 7 areas of learning and development. Finding out at this stage how your child is doing will mean that the teacher your child has in their next school year – year 1 – will know what your child really enjoys doing and does well, as well as helping them decide if your child needs a bit of extra support, what that support should be and if they are already getting it. The school will give you a report of your child’s progress, including information from his or her EYFS Profile.