EYFS

Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum
The Government document sets out standards for settings which provide early learning and care for children from birth to five years.
This includes settings registered with Ofsted such as childminders, private and voluntary nurseries, pre-schools and children centres. It also includes nursery schools, nursery classes.
The EYFS looks at how children in those settings should learn develop and be cared for. It describes how everyone in those settings should work with you to make sure your child reaches their fullest potential.
Childminders will have one document to work from which brings together care and early learning. It’s based on four principles which consider key areas of child development.
A Unique Child: recognises that every child is a competent learner from birth who can be resilient, capable, confident and self assured. The commitments are focused around development; inclusion; safety and health and well-being.
Positive Relationships: describes how children learn to be strong and independent from a base of loving and secure relationships with parents and/or key person. The commitments are focused around respect; partnerships with parents; supporting learning and the role of the key person.
Enabling Environments: explains that the environment plays a key role in supporting and extending children’s development and learning. The commitments are focused around observation, assessment and planning; support for every child; the learning environment; and the wider context – transitions, continuity and multi-agency working.
Learning and Development: recognises that children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates and that all areas of learning are equally important and inter-connected.
There are six areas covered by the early learning goals and educational programmes for children from 0 – 5 years of age:
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Communication, Language and Literacy
Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy
Knowledge and Understanding of the World
Physical Development
Creative Development
Each day children are given the opportunity to 'free play' with the wide range of toys, books and resources available as well as take part in activities led by myself.
Having two children of my own means the house is full of toys including, building bricks , jigsaws, shape sorters, cuddly toys, dolls, toy kitchen with play food, paints, play dough, games etc.
Activities are planned that incorporate each child's personal interests.
I offer free flow play, this means the door to the outdoor space will be open and children will be able to choose where to play. I will encourage them to dress appropriately and will maintain supervision levels at all times.
Free flow play will be offered on a daily basis and for extended periods of time.
Parents will be requested to provide appropriate clothing to facilitate this sun hats, warm jumpers, coats etc.
I use a yearly calendar to learn about cultural events and celebrations e.g. Easter (Christian), Christmas (Christian), Mothers Day, Diwali (Hindu), Chinese New Year, Ramadan (Islamic), Passover (Jewish), Summer Solstice (pagan) etc.