The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Curriculum

The EYFS Curriculum is organised into six areas of learning:

• Personal, Social and Emotional  Development
• Communication, Language and Literacy
• Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy
• Knowledge and Understanding of the World
• Physical Development
• Creative Development

Aims for the Early Years Foundation Stage

Young children will have had a wide range of different experiences and will have a wide range of competencies and interests when they join a setting or school at the age of three, four or five.  They need well trained and qualified practitioners and a well resourced, challenging and planned curriculum to take their learning forward, providing them with opportunities to succeed in an atmosphere of care and of feeling valued.

The curriculum for the EYFS should underpin all future learning by supporting, fostering, promoting and developing children’s learning and development.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

• Personal, social and emotional well-being: in particular by supporting the transition to and between settings, promoting an inclusive ethos and providing opportunities for each child to become a valued member of that group and community so that a strong self-image and self-esteem are promoted.
• Positive attitudes and dispositions towards their learning: in particular an enthusiasm for knowledge and learning, and a confidence in their ability to be successful learners.
• Social Skills: in particular by providing opportunities that enable them to learn how to co-operate and work harmoniously alongside, and with, each other and to listen to each other.
• Attention skills and persistence: in particular the capacity to concentrate on their own play or on group tasks.

Communication, Language and Literacy

To promote and develop children’s Language and Communication:

With opportunities for all children to talk and communicate in a widening range of situations, to respond to adults and to each other, to practise and extend the range of vocabulary and communication skills they use, and to listen carefully.

To promote and develop children’s Reading and Writing:

With opportunities for all children to explore, enjoy, learn about and use words and text in a broad range of contexts and to experience a rich variety of books.

Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy (PSRN)

To promote and develop PSRN:

With opportunities for all children to develop their understanding of number, measurement, pattern, shape and space by providing a broad range of contexts in which they can explore, learn, practise and talk about them.

Knowledge and Understanding of the World

To promote and develop children’s Knowledge and Understanding of the world:

With opportunities for all children to solve problems, make decisions, experiment, predict, plan and question in a varied range of contexts; to explore and find out about their environment and people and places that have significance in their lives.

Physical Development

To promote and develop children’s Physical Development:

With opportunities for all children to develop and practise their fine and gross motor skills, increase their understanding of how their bodies work and what they need to be healthy and safe.

Creative Development

To promote and develop children’s Creative Development:

With opportunities for all children to explore and share their thoughts and ideas and feelings through a variety of art, design and technology, music, movement, dance and imaginative and role-play activities.