The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework is a government document that all schools and Ofsted-registered early years providers in England must follow. It sets standards for the learning, development and care of your child from birth to 5 years old. The standards ensure your child will learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe.

Four guiding principles shape our practice in Early Years...

• every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient,
capable, confident and self-assured
• children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships
• children learn and develop well in enabling environments with teaching and
support from adults, who respond to their individual interests and needs and
help them to build their learning over time. Children benefit from a strong
partnership between practitioners and parents and/or carers.
• importance of learning and development and recognition that children develop and learn at
different rates.

 

Statutory Learning & Development Requirements

The EYFS framework outlines seven areas of learning and development and educational programmes. There are three prime areas of learning, which are particularly important for your child’s development and future learning:

Communication & Language      Personal, Social & Emotional Development    Physical Development

There are four specific areas of learning, through which the prime areas are strengthened and applied:

Literacy   Mathematics   Understanding the World   Expressive Arts & Design

 

The EYFS framework identifies the essential role of play in your child’s development. It is through both child-led play and play guided by an adult that your child will develop confidence and relationships with others. Through play, our staff will help your child to extend their vocabulary and develop their communication skills.

 

The EYFS framework identifies three characteristics of effective teaching and learning:

Playing & Exploring   Active Learning   Creating & Thinking Critically

 

Our staff use their professional knowledge to understand your child’s level of development. Each child is assigned a 'key person' to support their learning and development. The key person works in partnership with parents and carers to share information - If they have any concerns about your child's progress, they will discuss these with you.

 

Meeting the Safeguarding & Welfare Requirements

Child Protection
• We have policies and procedures in place to safeguard children.
• Our policies explain the action to be taken when there are safeguarding concerns about a child and if there are
allegations made against a member of staff. It also covers the use of mobile phones and cameras within
the setting.
• We have a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and a deputy (DDSL) to take responsibility for safeguarding children in the setting.
• All staff attend regular child protection training and are kept up to date with all safeguarding policies and procedures
• We keep up to date with statutory government safeguarding guidance.
• We follow our duty to report allegations or action taken in relation to these allegations to Ofsted.

Suitable People
• Systems are in place to ensure that practitioners are suitable to fulfil the requirements of their role.
• An enhanced Disclosure and Barring (DBS) checks is obtained for every person, aged 16 or over, who works
directly with children.
• We keep records of staff qualifications, ID checks and vetting procedures.

Staff
• All staff receive induction training which includes information about emergency procedures, safeguarding, child protection and health and safety issues.
• Staff are supported to undertake appropriate training.
• All staff receive paediatric first aid (PFA) training which is updated every 3 years.
• All staff have a sufficient understanding of and use of English to ensure the wellbeing of children in their care.

Ratios for children aged two years
• One member of staff to every five children

Ratios for children aged three years+
• One member of staff to every eight children

 

For further information regarding the Learning and Development Requirements and the Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements please click on the link below:

Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)