Curriculum
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) areas of learning and development have been produced by the government and early years professionals for use by all early years providers.
We use the areas of learning and development when we are observing, assessing and planning for your child’s individual needs. The areas of learning and development make sure that we are constantly challenging your child and helping them to develop and succeed.
There are seven areas of learning and they are split into two parts:
- three prime areas: which are for all children and will always be the main focus of our planning and activities for children under 3. These areas are particularly crucial for igniting the children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive
- four specific areas – which are mostly used for the older children (over 3s) but are also relevant for younger children
These are the three prime areas:
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
This area of learning and development is about how your child…
- Is confident and self-assured
- Manages their feelings and behaviour
- Makes friends
- Shares and takes turns
Physical Development
This area of learning and development is about how your child…
- Moves and uses gross motor skills
- Develops fine motor skills
- Learns about healthy living
- Manages self care independently
Communication and Language
This area of learning and development is about how your child…
- Listens and pays attention
- Understands what is being said
- Communicate with others
- Develops vocabulary and speech
These are the four specific areas (through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied):
Literacy
This area of learning and development is about how your child…
- Enjoys books
- Likes making marks
- Learns to write
- Starts to explore phonics and letter sounds
Mathematics
This area of learning and development is about how your child…
- Learns about numbers and counting
- Recognises the passing of time
- Explores measures, capacity, space, shapes, opposites etc during play
Understanding the World
This area of learning and development is about how your child…
- Finds out about nature and the world around them
- Talks about people and their local community and learns about similarities and differences
- Learns to confidently use ICT equipment
Expressive Arts and Design
This area of learning and development is about how your child…
- Enjoys being creative
- Sings, dances and makes music
- Plays imaginatively
- Uses colour to express themselves