EYFS Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum

Compton Pre-school follows the government’s mandatory Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. These government standards help to ensure that in all early years settings, children learn and develop well, are supported and valued as individuals and are also kept healthy and safe. The framework has seven areas for learning and development and these seven areas are broken down into “Prime” and “Specific” areas. The four themes of the EYFS are A Unique Child:  Every child is a competent learner who can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured. Positive Relationships:  Children can learn to be strong and independent from a base of loving and secure relationships with parents and/or a key person. Enabling Environments:  The environment plays a key role in supporting and extending children’s development and learning. Learning and Development:  Children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates and all areas of Learning and Development are equally important and inter-connected. The Prime and Specific Areas of Learning and Development: All of these areas are interconnected. Prime Areas of Learning and Development (From Birth to 3 years old) Personal, Social and Emotional Development:   We aim to provide children with experiences and support, which will help them to develop a positive sense of themselves and others; respect for others; social skills; and a positive disposition to learn.  We endeavour to support children’s emotional well-being, to help them know themselves and what they can do. Communication and Language:  This area of learning focuses on children’s learning in communication, speaking and listening skills. We aim to provide opportunity and encouragement to use these developing skills in a range of situations and for a range of purposes, and we endeavour to support children in developing the confidence and disposition to do so. Physical Development:  We aim to encourage children in this area of development by providing opportunities for them to be active and interactive and to improve their skills of coordination, control, manipulation and movement.  We endeavour to support children in learning about the world about them, by using all their senses, and to make connections between new information and what they already know.  We also support children in developing an understanding of the importance of physical activity and making healthy choices in relation to food. Specific Areas of Learning and Development (From 3 to 5 years old) Mathematics: We aim to support children in developing their understanding of Mathematics in a broad range of contexts in which they can explore, enjoy, learn, practice and talk about their developing understanding.  We endeavour to provide children with the opportunities to practice and extend their skills in these areas and to gain competence in their use. Literacy: The focus of this area of learning is to encourage exploration and investigation into the pre-reading and pre-writing skills that children show a curiosity in as they discover a print rich environment, through our book corner, the Library Van visits and mark making opportunities woven into valuable play experiences. Understanding of the World:  We aim to support children in developing the knowledge, skills and understanding that help them to make sense of the world.  We endeavour to support children’s learning through offering opportunities for them to use a range of tools safely; encounter creatures, people, plants and objects in their natural environments and in real-life situations; undertake practical ‘experiments;’ and work with a range of materials. Expressive Arts and Design: We believe that children’s creativity must be extended by the provision of support for their curiosity, exploration and play.  We aim to provide them with opportunities to explore and share their thoughts, ideas and feelings.  For example, through art, music, movement, dance, imaginative and role-play activities, mathematics and design and technology.
ECAT Every Child a Talker  Here at Compton Pre-school, we are proud to be involved with the local West Berkshire ECAT initiative.
  • ECAT began as a National Strategy that was introduced across England.
  • ECAT in West Berkshire is currently funded by the local authority.
ECAT focuses on encouraging the communication skills of young children through work with pre-school settings. The whole team working in the setting is involved in supporting ECAT and they have a lead practitioner (known as an ELLP) who attends termly cluster meetings. Each setting that is involved in the initiative has three goals that they are working towards: 1. Identifying and supporting children who may be ‘at risk of delay’; 2. Developing the knowledge and skills of all of the practitioners who work within the setting; 3. Helping parents to understand the stages of development of speech and language skills and how they can encourage their child’s development. For more information and resources, please visit the west berkshire ECAT site http://www.westberksecat.info 

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