Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
What is the EYFS?
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) was originally launched in 2008. It is the statutory framework for all early years providers in England setting the standards that all early years providers must meet.
Early years providers in England who provide care and learning for children from birth to the end of reception class must comply with the EYFS Statutory Framework. Ofsted regulate and inspect all early years providers against the safeguarding and welfare requirements and areas of learning to determine how well children are kept safe, healthy and develop. From time to time the EYFS is updated and refreshed, so far this has happened in 2012, 2014, 2017 and 2021.
Children’s learning and development in the EYFS
There are 7 areas of learning and development within the EYFS, these are:
• Communication and language
• Physical development
• Personal, social and emotional development
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the world
• Expressive arts and design
The prime areas of learning form the essential foundations for healthy development and future learning. Once a solid start has formed within the prime areas we continue to build upon these skills, opening to explore more learning opportunities within the specific areas of learning.
Young children learn through play. The EYFS refers to the Characteristics of Effective Learning. These are:
• Playing and exploring
• Active learning
• Creating and thinking critically
Every EYFS provider has their own bespoke curriculum (what they want children to learn), at Willow Cottage this supports each child’s unique developmental pathway, following their interests and fascinations.
Our Curriculum and Pedagogy
The areas of learning and characteristics of effective learning are embedded in our curriculum. Careful thought is given to inform our enabling environments (indoors and outdoors), to provide resources, activities and learning opportunities to meet each child’s unique development and learning requirements. Ofsted call this ‘curriculum’. Our curriculum is very flexible and responsive, to follow children’s interests and those totally unplanned learning opportunities that sometimes come out of the blue, such as it unexpectedly snowing, etc!
Our curriculum and pedagogy have been influenced by many different Early Years pioneers and approaches, including Reggio Emilia, Froebel, Montessori, Te Whāriki and Bruce.
At Willow our curriculum follows;
· Willow Cottage’s overarching curriculum principals
· The lead of the interests and inspirations of the children.
And is supported by the published Birth to 5 guidance
