The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the statutory curriculum for all settings where children aged 5 or under attend. It consists of seven different areas of learning. At Made in English International School we aim to deliver this to all children by offering a wide variety of activities and group sessions.

Each child i salso given a Learning Journal, within which samples of their work, photos and anecdotes are added so that the child’s progress can be documented throughout each area of learning.

The four principles which form the basis of EYFS:

  1. A UNIQUE CHILD – Every child is a unique child who is constantly learning to be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured;
  2. POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS – Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships;
  3. COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENTS – Children learn and develop well in environments where their individual needs are met and links are strong between school and their families;
  4. LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT – Children can develop and learn in different ways. The framework covers the education and care of all children in early years provision.

The seven areas of learning

THE THREE PRIME AREAS:

  1. PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT – Concentrating on “making relationships” with peers and adults through play and conversation. Developing “self-confidence and self-awareness” by encouraging children to speak up in a group and ask for help when they need it. “Managing feelings and behaviour” where children develop a sense of empathy towards others and learn to behave appropriately in different situations.
  2. COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE – Where the focus is on “Listening and attention” – Conversation and concentration skills, “understanding” instructions and “speaking” to peers and adults in a variety of situations.
  3. PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT – “Moving and handling” of equipment. This includes sports equipment as well as equipment used in the class room, such as pencils and scissors. “Health and sel-care”, teaching children to understand what being healthy means and being able to care for themselves for example dressing and going to the bathroom independently.

THE FOUR SPECIFIC AREAS:

  1. LITERACY – “Reading”, laying the foundations for children’s reading through rhyme, letter sounds, stories and books. “Writing”, allowing children to make marks on papers and assign meaning to them. Looking at letter formations and learning to write
  2. MATHEMATICS – “Number”, learning to count, recognise, understand and compare numbers and groups of objects. Begin to have an understanding of simple addition and subtractions. “Space, Shape and Measure”, learning about shapes and patterns and exploring with measurement, height and weight and developing.
  3. ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS – “People and Communities”, children talk about home and past experiences and begin to have an understanding of their own cultures. “The world”, exploring the environment and observing animals and nature. “Technology”, making use of technology for example computers and interactive whiteboards and developing an understanding for technological toys.