EYFS Information

What is the Early Years Foundation Stage? 

Welcome to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which is how the 
Government and early years professionals describe the time in your child’s life 
between birth and age 5. 
This is a very important stage as it helps your child get ready for school as 
well as preparing them for their future learning and successes. From when 
your child is born up until the age of 5, their early years experience should be 
happy, active, exciting, fun and secure; and support their development, care 
and learning needs. 
Nurseries, pre-schools, reception classes and childminders registered to deliver the 
EYFS must follow a legal document called the Early Years Foundation Stage 
Framework. 

What is the EYFS Framework – why do we have one? 

The EYFS Framework exists to support all professionals working in the EYFS to help 
your child, and was developed with a number of early years experts and parents. 
In 2012 the framework was revised to make it clearer and easier to use, with more 
focus on the things that matter most. This new framework also has a greater 
emphasis on your role in helping your child develop. 

It sets out: 
• The legal welfare requirements that everyone registered to look after children 
must follow to keep your child safe and promote their welfare 
• The 7 areas of learning and development which guide professionals’ 
engagement with your child’s play and activities as they learn new skills and 
knowledge 
• Assessments that will tell you about your child’s progress through the 
EYFS 
• Expected levels that your child should reach at age 5, usually the end of the 
reception year; these expectations are called the “Early Learning Goals 
(ELGs)” 
There is also guidance for the professionals supporting your child on planning the 
learning activities, and observing and assessing what and how your child is 
learning and developing. 

What does it mean for me as a parent? 

Ensuring my child’s safety 
Much thought has been given to making sure that your child is as safe as possible. 
Within the EYFS there is a set of welfare standards that everyone must follow. These 
include the numbers of staff required in the setting, and things like administering medicines and carrying out risk assessments. 

How my child will be learning 

The EYFS Framework explains how and what your child will be learning to support 
their healthy development. 
Your child will be learning skills, acquiring new knowledge and demonstrating their 
understanding through 7 areas of learning and development. 
Children should mostly develop the 3 prime areas first. These are: 
• Communication and language; 
• Physical development; and 
• Personal, social and emotional development. 
These prime areas are those most essential for your child’s healthy development and 
future learning. 
As children grow, the prime areas will help them to develop skills in 4 specific areas. 
These are: 
• Literacy; 
• Mathematics; 
• Understanding the world; and 
• Expressive arts and design. 

These 7 areas are used to plan your child’s learning and activities. The professionals 
teaching and supporting your child will make sure that the activities are suited to your 
child’s unique needs. This is a little bit like a curriculum in primary and secondary 
schools, but it's suitable for very young children, and it's designed to be really flexible 
so that staff can follow your child's unique needs and interests. 

Children in the EYFS learn by playing and exploring, being active, and through 
creative and critical thinking which takes place both indoors and outside. 

For further information please ask the Foundation Stage staff or go to the Early Years Foundation Stage which includes the early learning goals at www.foundationyears.org.uk. The foundation years website also includes a range of resources and contacts.