The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is used by adults working with children from birth to five. These adults may be child-minders, pre-school practitioners, teaching assistants, nursery nurses or teachers.

The EYFS curriculum guidance (opens in a new window) was published in 2008 by the Department for Education (DfE) and combines the previous 'Birth to Three Matters' and 'Foundation Stage' materials.  It is based on research into child development, how children learn and learning through play.

The Government's Ten Year Strategy for Childcare, 'Choice for Parents, the Best Start for Children', promised to establish a single framework for all young children from birth to five.

'Play underpins delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage and must be planned for children in both indoor and outdoor space.'

Play

Well-planned play, both indoors and outdoors, is a key way in which young children learn with enjoyment and challenge. In playing, they behave in different ways: sometimes their play will be boisterous, sometimes they will describe and discuss what they are doing, sometimes they will be quiet and reflective as they play.

The role of the practitioner is crucial in:

• Planning and resourcing a challenging environment
• Supporting children's learning through planned play activity
• Extending and supporting children's spontaneous play
• Extending and developing children's language and communication in their play

Through play, in a secure environment with effective adult support, children can:

• Explore, develop and represent learning experiences that help them make sense of the world
• Practise and build up ideas, concepts and skills
• Learn how to control impulses and understand the need for rules
• Be alone, be alongside others or cooperate as they talk or rehearse their feelings
• Take risks and make mistakes
• Think creatively and imaginatively
• Communicate with others as they investigate or solve problems
• Express fears or relive anxious experiences in controlled and safe situations

(FS Curriculum Guidance 2000)

Good quality provision

What do I look for?

• Friendly welcoming adults
• Well organised environment with good quality resources displayed in an attractive manner, both indoors and outdoors.
• Children should be able to select resources easily by themselves
• Children should have the opportunity to make choices about their play and learning
• Adults playing alongside the children, extending their learning by listening, talking and asking questions which encourage the children to think rather than know facts
• Healthy snacks and water available at all times
• A quiet space in the room as well as spaces for group work
• Adults observing and noting what the children are doing and saying
• Good communication between the adults and you the parents
• Adult led activities to be based on play
• Lots of opportunity for the children to be active
• Laughter and fun

How can I help my child to learn?

"Learning doesn't only take place in schools and helping your child to learn does not only mean sitting down to do homework with them. Learning can take place anywhere

"Take advantage of everyday opportunities to help your child develop the skills so essential to their learning -

• Solving problems
• Asking questions
• Increasing their vocabulary
• Gaining confidence"

( Parents: Partners in learning DfES 2004)

Information-packed website.

• Birth to Three (0 - 3) provision, see the Dorset Sure Start (opens in a new window) and Daycare Trust (opens in a new window) web sites
• Foundation Stage (3-5) provision, see the DfE (opens in a new window) web site
• Outside Provision, see the Learning Through Landscapes (opens in a new window) web site
• Library - see the Pre-school Learning Alliance (opens in a new window)  and the Parents Centre (opens in a new window)  web sites
• Foundation Stage Guidance, see DfE - National Strategies - Early Years Foundation Stage (opens in a new window)
• Ofsted (opens in a new window)

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