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The Early Years Foundation Stage
The Early Years Foundation Stage sets the standards for learning, development and care for children from birth to the end of their first (Reception) year in school. The EYFS Framework describes how early years practitioners should work with children and their families to support their development and learnng.
It describes how children should be kept safe and cared for and how all concerned can make sure that children achieve the most that they can in their earliest years of life.
It is based on four important themes and principles. They are:
A Unique Child
Every child is a competent learner from birth who can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.
Positive Relationships
Children learn to be strong and independent from a base of loving and secure relationships with parents and/or a key person.
Enabling Environments
The environment plays a key role in supporting and extending children's development and learning.
Learning And Development
Children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates and all areas of Learning and Development are equally important and interconnected.
It brings together and replaces Birth to Three Matters, the Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage and the National Standards for Under 8s Day Care and Childminding.
From September2008 it will be mandatory for all early years providers including maintained schools, non-maintained schools,independent schools and childcare registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register.