The Early Years Foundation Stage

The Early Years Foundation Stage

What is the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) became statutory from 1 September 2008 for all those with responsibility for the care and education of babies and young children, including schools, nurseries and childminders.  It recognises the stages of children's development from birth, to the end of their first year (Reception) in school.

The EYFS brings together Birth to Three Matters, the Curriculmn Guidance for the Foundation Stage and the National Standards for Under 8's Daycare and Childminding under one framework.  It describes how early years practitioners should work with children and their families to support their development and learning.  The four principles underpinning the guidance are:

• A unique child
• Positive relationships
• Enabling environments
• Learning and developing         

As with the Birth to Three Matters, the EYFS recognises babies and young children as competent learners and acknowledges the importance of the partnership between early years practitioners and parents/carers.  Guidance is given on effective learning and teaching to provide an appropriate curriculmn for:

• Personal, social and emotional development
• Communication, language and literacy
• Problem solving, reasoning and numeracy (formally mathematical development)
• Physical development
• Creative development   

Who are the Early Years Advisory Team?

The advisory team is a group of early years teachers who support practitioners in all private, voluntary and independent settings (who are in receipt of the 3 & 4 year old nursery funding in Hammersmith & Fulham) as well as nursery and reception classes in schools.  

Support is provided to early years practitioners enabling them to:

• Promote learning through play and first-hand experiences
• Work in partnership with parents and carers and the wider community
• Use the Early Years Foundation Stage in their settings
• Provide relevant learning opportunities that meet the diverse needs of all children
• Evaluate their practice for Ofsted inspections and Quality Assurance
• Identify and meet their training needs.            

The advisory team provides this support by working collaboratively to deliver training and working alongside practitioners in their centres.