At Sunshine Day nursery we closely follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (EYFS) with a principled play based approach to learning and development.

What is the Early Years Foundation Stage?

 The EYFS is a stage of children’s development from birth to the end of their reception year at school. The EYFS Framework describes how early years practitioners should work with children and their families to support their development and learning.

The EYFS is based on four Themes and Principles which recognise children as individuals and competent learners;

A Unique Child

Positive Relationships:

Enabling Environments:

Learning and Development:

There are six Areas of Learning and Development:  

•  Personal, Social and Emotional Development

• Communication, Language and Literacy

• Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy

• Knowledge and Understanding of the World

• Physical Development

• Creative Development

What will the EYFS mean for my child at Sunshine?

 Each child at Sunshine has a folder where the Key person will document their individual learning journey with regular observations, informal assessments and planning based on their individual learning and development needs. The observation, assessment and planning cycle is based upon the six areas of Learning and Development of the early Years Foundation stage. The areas of Learning and Development are connected to one another and are equally important. Many experiences or activities will link to three or four of these areas.

What learning experiences will my child have at Sunshine?

·    PPlay will be a key feature of the way your child will learn, most of the day is ‘freeplay’ where the child chooses what they want to do. Alongside this practitioners will lead activities which children can choose to join in with.

·    TThe practitioners will plan a wide range of experiences for your child to learn both indoors and outdoors.

·    PPractitioners will work alongside your child, observe them and plan further activities based on what your child needs and what your child’s interests are.

·    SSometimes your child will enjoy experiences with the whole group, for example, singing, dancing, circle time

·    SSometimes your child will take part in small group or one to one activities planned by the practitioner to meet your child’s needs

·    SSometimes your child will choose their own activities from a range of well-planned experiences indoors and outdoors

·    TThe Key Person will ensure that your child experiences a wide range of activities so that all six areas of learning and development are covered over time

·    TThe Key Person will involve parents/carers as part of the ongoing observation and assessment process through regular verbal feedback and ‘Home Interest Sheets’ where parents/carers can share information from home.

If you require any more information about the EYFS please do not hesitate to ask your child’s Key Person or our Early Years Professional. We also have leaflets at Sunshine which can explain the EYFS Themes and Principles and the Areas of Learning and Development in more detail.

Progress Matters

In 2009 the government introduced a document called ‘Progress Matters’ to be used alongside the EYFS. Progress Matters is a National Strategy which outlines how early years settings should review and enhance young children’s development. Its aim is to ensure that all children make good progress throughout the EYFS.

It states that, alongside making observations of children’s individual interests and achievements;

‘Ongoing assessment is an integral part of this process, and should be used by practitioners to support every child to make progress. Alongside short-term assessment and planning for learning, it is also critical to maintain an overview of children’s progress over time. Only by stepping back to look at the bigger picture of progress can a setting make sure whether daily practice is supporting all children to reach their full potential across all areas of learning.’

At Sunshine we have a ‘Progress Update’ sheet which the Key Person will complete every six months for your child. This sheet is where the Key Person will note your child’s special achievements and decide what age bands they is working at within each area of Learning and Development of the EYFS. This information is used to chart your child’s individual learning journey throughout their time at Sunshine. It is also invaluable for the Key Person to be able to identify how they can best support each child’s individual learning.  The Progress Update sheet is kept in each child’ individual folder and is shown to parents/carers at Parent evening.