What can parents and carers do?

Parents and carers are their children’s first teachers. When they are with you learning can happen at any time and anywhere, for example through:

 

Being generous with praise and cuddles

Reading things together

Playing games, singing nursery rhymes

Talking about what you can see in the park or on the street

Counting the stairs as you go up or down

Children with in the Early Years Foundation Stage are the most successful when parents and practitioners work together. It is important to remember that you know more about your child than anyone else. Practitioners should be asking you about your child and sharing information with you about your child’s progress.

 

Why are the years from birth to five so special?

The years from birth to five see the greatest growth and learning for all children.

Good health

To be happy

To feel safe

To be successful

Early learning is the key to your child’s future and families make the greatest difference at this stage.

 

What is the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The EYFS is the stage of learning is when your child attends a setting or childminders home between birth and the age of five. They remain in this stage of learning until the end of the Reception Year in school.

 

The EYFS Framework describes how Early Years Practitioners should work with children and their families to support their development and learning.

 

What are the EYFS principles?

Children develop quickly in the early years, and early years practitioners aim to do all they can to help children have the best possible start in life. Children have a right to provision which enables them to develop their personalities, talents and abilities irrespective of ethnicity, culture or religion, home language, family background, learning difficulties, disabilities or gender. The EYFS guidance helps adults to understand and support each individual child’s development pathway.

 

The EYFS Curriculum is based on four important principles:

A Unique Child

Every child is a unique child who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.

Positive Relationships

Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships.

Enabling Environments

Children learn and develop well in enabling environments, in which their experiences respond to their individual needs and there is a strong partnership between practitioners and parents/carers.

Learning & Development

Children develop and learn in different ways. The framework covers the education and care of all children in early years provision, including children with special educational needs and disabilities.

 

 

How do we assess in the EYFS?

On-going formative assessment is at the heart of effective early years practice. The EYFS requires early years practitioners to review children’s progress and share a summary with parents at two points:

in the prime areas between the ages of 24 and 36 months

and at the end of the EYFS in the EYFS Profile. (Summer Term of the Reception Year)

Practitioners will be watching and supporting your child in their development throughout their time in Early Years. They will use this assessment to help plan activities which are relevant to your child’s own growth and development. These assessments will be shared with you a various key points.