What is the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which is how the Government and early year's 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.

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 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 as parents 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.

How your 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, learning 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
• 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
• Expressive arts and design

These 7 areas are used to plan your child's learning and activities. The professionals and key people teaching and supporting your child will make sure that the activities are suited to your child's unique needs and interests.

When your child is 2

When your child is between the ages of 2 and 2 years 6 months, the key people working with your child will give you a written summary of how your child is progressing against the 3 prime areas of learning:

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

This is called the progress check at age 2.

This check will highlight areas where your child is progressing well and anywhere they might need some extra help or support – and how mums and dads and other family members or carers can work with the key person to help.

You might find it useful to share the information from the check with other professionals such as health visitors (who can use it as part of the health and development review).

When your child is 5

At the end of the EYFS – in the summer term of the reception year in school – teachers complete an assessment which is known as the EYFS Profile. This assessment is carried out by the reception teacher and is based on what they, and other staff caring for your child, have observed over a period of time

Where can I go for further information?

The most important place to find out more is nursery – do ask as many questions as you need to. We really do welcome speaking with you. You can find the Early Years Foundation Stage which includes the early learning goals at www.foundationyears.org.uk.