The EYFS is set to ensure all children in early year’s settings including children with disabilities and special needs have the best possible start in life which they deserve. A child needs to not only have a safe, secure and happy childhood but also one which is rich in positive parenting and high quality learning. These will provide the foundations and tools a child needs to reach their full potential.
The EYFS must be followed by all early years’ providers to ensure that children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. The EYFS is set to help prepare children for school, physically and emotionally and set a foundation for a positive progress through school and life. Children develop at a raid rate between birth-5 years and experiences between this time have a dramatic impact on their future.
Key Points of the Early Years Foundation stage
• Good quality and consistent care within all early years’ settings to ensure every single child makes good progress.
• A secure foundation through learning and development opportunities which are planned around the needs and interests of each individual child and are assessed and reviewed regularly
• Partnership working between practitioners and with parents and/or carers
• Equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice, ensuring that every child is included and supported.
EYFS requirements for learning and development
• All Early year providers must help children work towards the early learning goals, the knowledge, skills and understanding a child should have by the end of the academic year in which they turn five.
• Shape activities and experiences within the setting to enable every child to have the best chance of reaching these learning goals.
• Set in place assessment arrangements and requirements for measuring progress and for reporting to parents and/or carers.
EYFS requirements for safeguarding and welfare
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