The Early Years Foundation Stage is a dedicated curriculum for children aged 0-5. It sets out developmental expectations and learning goals for children to reach.
As a framework, it exists to support and guide all professionals working in the EYFS.
It sets out:
· The legal welfare requirements to keep children safe and promote their welfare
· The 7 areas of learning and development which guide professionals’ engagement with children's play and activities
· Assessments about children's progress through the EYFS
· Expected levels that children should reach at age 5, usually the end of the reception year; these expectations are called the “Early Learning Goals" (ELGs)
The EYFS Framework explains how and what children will be learning to support their development, including learning skills, acquiring new knowledge and demonstrating their understanding through 7 areas of learning and development.
Children develop the 3 'prime' areas which are particularly crucial to igniting children's curiosity and enthusiasm for learning and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive. These are:
These prime areas are those most essential for your child’s healthy development and future learning.
As children grow, the prime areas will help them to develop skills in 4 specific areas. These are:
· Literacy
· Mathematics
· Understanding the World
· Expressive Arts and Design