Early Education and Development

The Early Years Foundation Stage

Setting the Standards for Learning, Development and Care for children from birth to 5.

The Early Years Foundation Stage is the stage a child is in when they attend a setting, school or childminder between birth and the age of 5. It is also the stage that children are in until the end of reception year at school.

The Early Years Foundation Stage describes how early years practitioners should work with children and their families to support all children's development and learning. The Early Years Foundation Stage is based on 4 important themes and principles.

Theme: A unique child

Principle: Every child is a competent learner from birth who can be resilient, capable, confident and self assured.

Theme: Positive relationships

Principle: Children learn to be strong and independent from a base of loving and secure relationships with parents and/or a key person.

Theme: Enabling environments

Principle: The environment plays a key role in supporting and extending children's development and learning. Children need daily access to a safe and stimulating outdoor play space.

Theme: Learning and development

Principle: Children learn and develop in different ways and at different rates and all areas of learning and development are equally important and interconnected. Each principle applies to all children from birth to 5.

Within this theme are 6 areas of learning:

Personal, social and emotional development

This area of learning helps children develop a positive sense of themselves and of others, respect for themselves and others and a positive disposition to learn.

Communication language and literacy

This area of learning helps children become skilful communicators and helps them in the early important stages of reading and writing.

Problem solving reasoning and numeracy

This area of learning helps children begin to use numbers, count, begin to do simple calculations, be aware of shapes and measures and begin to use their mathematical knowledge to solve problems.

Knowledge and understanding of the world

This area of learning helps children begin to make sense of the world around them, to use tools and equipment and develop a respect for their own and other cultures.

Creative development

This area of learning helps children respond to music, dance, art and drama. It helps children develop their imagination and creativity.

Physical development

This area of learning helps children improve their skills of coordination, control, manipulation and movement. Children learn the importance of physical activity and how to make healthy choices in relation to food.

You can download a full copy of the Early Years Foundation Stage document at the Every Child Matters website.