EYFS
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
The Early Years are the foundation upon which children’s future learning are built. At Booth Wood our aim is that children discover the satisfaction and great enjoyment of being interested and involved in the many learning opportunities available to them. In doing so, they will develop the self-belief and ‘can do’ attitude which will enable them to become successful lifelong learners.
The Reception Year is the final phase of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum (2023). At the heart of the curriculum are four guiding principles:
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Every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, confident and self-assured
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Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships
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Children learn and develop well in enabling environments with teaching and support from adults
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Children develop and learn in different ways and at different ways
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The Four Guiding Principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage
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These principles underpin the curriculum and shape our Early Years practice to support all children to achieve to the best of their ability.
The Three Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning
The Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning describe the behaviours that children use during their learning and how they approach experiences and opportunities. In planning and guiding what children learn and how, we consider these characteristics and how we can put them into practice. We provide children with learning opportunities to help develop each element over time to ensure their learning is enjoyable, exciting, challenging and purposeful. This will support children’s abilities to become independent, successful lifelong learners.
Areas of Learning
Alongside the Four Guiding Principles and the Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning are the learning and development requirements. This includes the seven areas of learning and the early learning goals. Three areas of learning are particularly important for building a foundation for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, forming relationships and thriving.
These are the prime areas:
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Communication and language
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Physical development
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Personal, social and emotional development
Children should also be supported in the four specific areas, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied.
The specific areas are:
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Literacy
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Mathematics
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Understanding the world
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Expressive art and design
Our curriculum includes activities, opportunities, experiences and routines that support each of the areas of learning. The level of development children should be expected to have attained by the end of the reception year is defined by the early learning goals. Each area of learning is linked to different early learning goals, with a total of 17 goals.
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The Three Prime Areas of Learning and the Four Specific Areas of Learning
The Early Learning Goal Elements for Prime Areas of Learning
The Early Learning Goal Elements for Specific Areas of Learning
