Early years foundation stage

The early years foundation stage (EYFS) sets the standards that all providers must meet to make sure children to learn and develop well and stay healthy and safe.

It promotes the learning that gets children ready for school and gives them the knowledge and skills that are a foundation for life.

There are four guiding principles that shape good practice in early years settings:

• Every child is unique, 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, in which their experiences reflect their individual needs and there is a strong partnership between practitioners and parents or carers.
• Children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates.

The EYFS covers the education and care of all children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities.

Seven areas of learning

There are seven interconnected areas of learning and development that shape education in the early years.

Three prime areas are particularly crucial for encouraging children's curiosity and enthusiasm, and for building their capacity to form relationships and thrive:

• Communication and language
• Physical development
• Personal, social and emotional development

There are four additional areas where the prime areas are applied and strengthened:

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the world
• Expressive arts and design