The Foundation Stage Curriculum

The Early Years Foundation Stage Framework

The Early Years Foundation Stage Framework sets the standards for the learning, development and care of children from birth to five years. All schools and ofsted registered Early years providers are required to follow the framework including childminders, pre-schools and nursery and reception classes. 

The Early Years Foundation Stage Framework is the statutory guidance for the curriculum in the Foundation Stage. In the Foundation Stage the children are taught through a mixture of child-led activities and adult-led tasks with an emphasis on learning through games and play. 

There are seven areas of learning in the curriculum. "All areas of the curriculum are important and interconnected. Three areas are particularly crucial for igniting children's curiosity and enthusiasm for learning and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive. These three areas are the prime areas"

EYFS statutory Framework 2017

The Prime areas: 

• Physical Development
• Communication and language
• Personal, social and Emotional Development

The specific areas: 

• Literacy
• Maths
• Expressive arts and Design
• Understanding the World.

The EYFS curriculum is based on four guiding principles: 

• A unique child - developing resilient, capable, confident and self-assured individuals
• Positive relationships - supporting the child to become strong and independent
• Enabling Environments - where opportunities and experiences respond to the individual needs of the child by developing a strong partnership between practitioners, parents/carers and the child
• Learning and Development - an acknowledgement that children learn in different ways and at different rates. 

At Pilsley C of E Foundation Stage the indoor and outdoor classrooms are arranged in areas to enable children to access activities that cover all aspects of the curriculum. In addition, the children follow an imaginative learning project from the Cornerstones curriculum each half term which adds focus and challenge to the areas of continuous provision. The topic focus allows us to enhance the learning and is flexible so that we can follow the children's interests and build on their experiences in their play and development. Through a carefully planned mixture of child-led activities and structured tasks, tailored to individual needs, the children are able to make excellent progress in all areas.