Early Years Foundation Stage
The EYFS statutory framework sets the standards that all early years providers must meet to ensure that children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. It promotes teaching and learning to ensure children's "school readiness" and gives children the broad range of knowledge and skills that provide the right foundation for good future progress through school and life. The Early Years Foundation Stage Framework is mandatory for all early years providers.
The EYFS is based upon principles of inclusion, which means that all early years practitioners welcome children and families and oppose any prejudice or discrimination. The EYFS enables practitioners to understand that every child is unique and has different needs, requirements and abilities.
The overarching principles of the EYFS are:
- Every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.
- Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships.
- Children learn and develop well in an enabling environment in which their experience respond to their individual needs and there is a strong partnership between practitioners, parents and carers.
- Children learn and develop in different ways and at different rates
We believe that children of all ages need the opportunities for exploration and discovery and it is through play that that a child learns most effectively and effortlessly. We place great emphasis on a child's personal, social and emotional development by creating an atmosphere where children are respected and values, their potential recognised and individuality celebrated. We believe this gives children the basis they need to be interested, excited and motivated so promoting confidence, independence, tolerance and respect for others in a safe and secure environment that provides rich and stimulating experiences.
We are registered and inspected by OFSTED as part of the national programme for inspection of education for 3 and 4 year olds. We are able to claim Nursery Education Funding (NEF) for three and four year olds, providing the child does not attend a state nursery.
If you require any further information about the EYFS, you can visit the Department for Education (DfE) www.education.gov.uk
