The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum Information

The Early Years Foundation Stage (E.Y.F.S) is the stage of education for children from birth to the end of the Reception year. It is based on the recognition that children learn best through play and active learning.

The EYFS is based on four important themes. These are:

  • Every child is unique
  • Positive Relationships
  • Enabling Environments
  • Learning and Development

Each of the underlying principles is supported by the Key Person and it is through these principles and commitments of the EYFS that we base our practise. We believe that children are born ready, able and eager to learn and that they actively reach out to interact with other people, and in the world around them. We also believe that development is not an automatic process. It depends on each unique child having opportunities to interact in positive relationships and enabling environments.

There are seven areas of learning and development that shape our educational programme as well as important Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning. These are all equally important and inter-connected.

The Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning support the development of the Unique Child in how children are learning. The ways in which children engage with other people and their environment – playing and exploring, active learning, creating and thinking critically – underpin learning and development across all areas and support the child to remain an effective and motivated learner.

The prime areas begin to develop quickly in response to relationships and experiences, and run through and support learning in all other areas. The prime areas continue to be fundamental throughout the EYFS. These are: Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Communication and Language and Physical development.

The specific areas include essential skills and knowledge. They grow out of the prime areas, and provide important contexts for learning. These are: Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World and Expressive Arts and Design.

At Bowerham we use the ‘Development Matters’ and the ‘Birth to 5 Matter’s’ guidance’s to help inform our daily observation, assessment and planning.  The ‘Development Matters’ guidance is also used at points during the EYFS as a guide to making best-fit summative judgements, with parents and colleagues across agencies, in relation to whether a child is showing typical development, may be at risk of delay or is ahead for their age.

The age/stage bands overlap because these are not fixed age boundaries but suggest a typical range of development. When using ‘Development Matters’ we always remember that babies, toddlers and young children develop at their own rates and in their own ways.  The development statements and their order are not necessary steps for every child and are not used as checklists.

You can view both guidance’s below:

Development Matter’s:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/development-matters–2

Birth to 5 Matter’s:

https://birthto5matters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Birthto5Matters-download.pdf

Early Years Foundation Stage Framework

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework supports an integrated approach to early learning care. It gives all professionals a set of common principles and commitments to deliver quality early education and childcare experiences to all children.

As well as being the core document for all professionals working in the foundation years, the EYFS framework gives parents and carers confidence that regardless of where they choose for their child’s early education, they can be assured that the same statutory commitments and principles will underpin their child’s learning and development experience.

You can view this document below:

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework

 

Curiosity Approach

In Nursery and Reception Class we are excited to inform you that we are working towards becoming a ‘Curiosity Approach’ accredited setting. The Curiosity Approach promotes many different pedagogies relating to child development. The approach highlights the ‘awe’ and ‘wonder’ around learning and the environment. It encourages staff to become reflective practitioners and plan through the eyes of the child; which allows the children to explore a variety of activities and resources which they may have never experienced before.

At Bowerham Primary & Nursery School & Baby Unit, we believe that children are born with a natural curiosity. They want to do, they want to discover, explore for themselves, use their senses, be active participants and be in charge of their own learning.

We endeavour to inspire, nurture and create a curious, open-ended, love of learning for our children and their families. We aim to support all of children to flourish in a safe and secure child-centered environment; Where they take pride in all of their achievements.

To find out more about the Curiosity Approach click on the link below –

https://www.thecuriosityapproach.com/parents