Welcome to

1. Welcome to An Introduction To EYFS September 2014

2. What is the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)?

3. What is the Early Years Foundation Stage? The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the stage of education for children from birth to 5 years (end of the child’s reception year) which is supported by the EYFS document, a single quality framework to support children’s learning and development. It is based on the recognition that children learn best through play and active learning.

4. The EYFS brought together a number of documents practitioners were previously working with to ensure good practice across the age range. This meant that in England, from September 2008 all providers offering care and education to children aged 0-5 outside of the family home had to be working to the same framework and standards, to ensure that whatever setting parents choose, they can be confident that their child will receive a quality experience that supports their development and learning.

5. The activities that are provided for will underpin the skills children need to work towards the Early Learning Goals in the following areas at the end of their reception year at school. These are the 7 areas of learning: 3 Prime areas: - Personal, social and emotional development • Communication and language • Physical development 4 Specific areas - Literacy • Mathematics • Understanding the World • Expressive Arts and Design

6. All areas are of equal importance and many activities will cover many of the areas. Each area is divided up into stages of development and we are able to identify resources and learning opportunities for individual children dependent on their developmental needs. • The EYFS also encourages teachers, teaching assistants, parents and carers to work together to help children develop to their full potential.

7. Personal, Social and Emotional Development become self-confident; take an interest in things; know what their own needs are; dress and undress independently; become independent; tell the difference between right and wrong. The children will be learning to:

8. Communication and Language talk confidently and clearly; enjoy listening to stories, songs and poems; The children will be learning to:

9. Physical Development move confidently; control their body; handle equipment. The children will be learning to:

10. Mathematics The children will be learning to: develop an understanding of maths through stories, songs, games and imaginative play; become comfortable with numbers and with ideas such as 'heavier than' or 'bigger’; be aware of shapes and space.

11. Understanding the World explore and find out about the world around them, asking questions about it; build with different materials, know about everyday technology and learn what it is used for; find out about past events in their lives and their families' lives; find out about different cultures and beliefs. The children will:

12. Literacy hear and say sounds, and link them to the alphabet; read and write familiar words; learn to use a pencil effectively. The children will be learning to:

13. Expressive Arts and Design colours and shapes; making things; role play; making music. The children will explore:

14. Outdoors Another main aspect of our curriculum is outdoor learning. We do a lot of learning outdoors and this is vital for children’s learning and development. The EYFS documents state that children must learn and play both indoors and outdoors on a daily basiswhatever the weather.

15. The Statutory Framework states that: • “Providers must ensure there is a balance of adult-led and freely-chosen or child-initiated activities, delivered through indoor and outdoor play.” The Practice Guidance states that: • “Play underpins the delivery of all the EYFS…Play underpins all development and learning for young children.”

16. Monitoring Progress Each of the 7 areas of learning has its own set of Early Learning Goals’ which determine what most children are expected to achieve by the endof Reception Class. The EYFS Profile is a summative assessment of each child’s progress towards the early learning goals. The profile is updated regularly throughout each year of EYFS. It shows your child’s development and areas for further support.

17. How Do We Assess? Each child will have an electronic file where their observations and other evidence of development will be collated. This will be developed over their entire time in BSB EYFS, passed up to the following teacher at the end of each year, from crèche – preschool – reception. We highlight the statements completed from the 7 areas of learning .This information will be kept on file and can be shared with parents at parents evenings but will be passed on to the Year 1 teacher following the reception year. We observe the children. All adults in the classroom complete observations of any significant learning for any children. This means that every child has a consistent range of observational evidence covering all 7 learning areas over each half term. Where appropriate photographs are included.

18. What do we learn from observations? As we complete observations we are seeing the children’s areas of interest and can then plan possible lines of development for the next week. Ongoing observation of children participating in everyday activities is the most reliable way of building up an accurate picture of what children know, understand, feel, are interested in and can do.

19. BSB Early Years Foundation Stage Observation

20. EYFS Profile So what is the actual EYFS Profile? The EYFS Profile is a way of summing up a child’s progress at the end of the Foundation Stage. • It is a statutory assessment method. • It is based on the teachers ongoing assessments and observations on all seven areas on learning. • Each child’s typical developments will be recorded on 17 assessment scales. For each ELG, practitioners will assess (using best-fit judgement) whether children are at the expected level,exceeding it or below it (‘emerging’)

21. The 17 Assessment Scales PSE – Making relationships PSE – Self- confidence and self awareness PSE – Managing feelings and behaviour CL – Listening and attention CL – Understanding CL – Speaking Physical Development – Moving and handling Physical Development – Health and self care Literacy- Reading Literacy- Writing Mathematics– Shape, Space and Measures Mathematics- Numbers Understanding the World- People and communities Understanding the World- The world Understanding the World-Technology Expressive Arts and Design- Exploring and using media and materials Expressive Arts and Design- Being imaginative

22. Something to consider and to remember! It is not advisable to compare your child’s profile with that of others. Every child is an individual and develops at their own rate!

23. The first few weeks At the moment the staff are taking the time to find out more about the children, their likes and dislikes, what they already know and can do and what they are interested in. The class teachers then use this information to help them plan based on the children’s interests. We value any contributions you would like to make in helping us get to know your child’s needs.

24. Websites and other Info The EYFS document can be downloaded from www.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/eyfs It can also be ordered from www.teachernet.gov.uk/publications Or from DCSF publications quoting ref: 00261-2008PCK-EN Telephone: 0044845 60 222 60 Email: dcsf@prolog.uk.com