In September 2008, the government implemented an extensive programme of regulations, setting standards for learning, development and care for children from birth to five – the ‘Early Years Foundation Stage’ or EYFS. This was revised and the new framework came into force in September 2012. All settings, whether state schools, independent schools or nurseries and child-minders, must work within this statutory framework.
We embrace the underpinning principles at our school. These principles are:
The EYFS identifies three prime areas of learning and development:
And four specific areas:
During their time with us, children make progress in all of these areas. We complete the EYFS Profile for each child. It summarises children’s progress towards the early learning goals – this is a statutory obligation. We share this with parents and often gain further insight through parents’ input and parent meetings. We record each child’s progress by taking photographs and recording what they are doing and what they say.
“We make delicious things in cooking and they taste yummy and we learn even more about cooking.”
Ilfracombe Infant Pupil