What Is EYFS?
The Early Years Foundation Stage sets the standards for all childcare, nurseries, childminders, pre-schools and reception years. The EYFS has four principles. These are:
A Unique Child recognises that every child is a competent learner from birth who can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured. The commitments are focused around development, inclusion, safety and health and well-being.
Positive Relationships describes how children learn to be strong and independent from a base of loving and secure relationships with parents and/or a key person. The commitments are focused around respect, partnership with parents, supporting learning and the role of the key person.
Enabling Environments explains that the environment plays a key role in supporting and extending children's development and learning. The commitments are focused around observation, assessment and planning, support for every child, the learning environment and the wider context - transitions, continuity and multi-agency working.
Learning and Development recognises that children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates, and that all areas of learning and development are equally important and inter-connected.
| The six areas of Learning & Development under the EYFS are: |
 | Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) Dispositions & Attitudes Self confidence & self esteem Making Relationships Behaviour & Self-control Self-care Sense of Community (Self-confidence & self-esteem - enjoy the company of others) |
 | Communication, Language & Literacy (CLL) - Language for Communication - Language for Thinking Linking Sounds & Letters Reading Writing Handwriting (Writing - making marks in the foam) |
 | Problem Solving, Reasoning & Numeracy (PSRN) Numbers as Labels & for Counting Calculating Shape, Space & Measures (Shape, Space & Measures - weighing ingredients to make cookies) |
 | Knowledge & Understanding of the World (KUW) Exploration & Investigation Designing & Making ICT Time Place Communities (Exploration & Investigation - show curiosity and interest in living things) |
 | Physical Development (PD) Movement & Space Health & Bodily Awareness Using Equipment & Materials (Movement & Space - can climb up steps to slide) |
 | Creative Development (CD) Being Creative - Responding to Experiences, Expressing & Communicating Ideas Exploring Media & Materials Creating Music & Dance Developing Imagination & Imaginative Play (Creating Music & Dance - join in with singing games) |