Parents’ Guide to the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework
Eastern Green Preschool Playgroup recognize that parents/carers are the first and most important educators of their young children. There are lots of ways in which you can help your child to get the most out of their time at playgroup. Always praise your child’s efforts and work they bring home, even though it may look immature at first. Remember that playgroup can be tiring at first so do ensure that your child has plenty of rest. Encourage your child’s independence, by giving encouragement to have a go with changing their shoes, hang up their coat, recognize their name etc. Although they may need support or assistance to begin with you will be surprised how quickly your child will develop these skills. Support your child in bringing in items of interest to playgroup. Have a chat at the end of the session about what they have done, and what did they enjoy, but be prepared most childrens usual response is ‘nothing’; this is usually followed by them wanting to discuss every detail usually at the most inconvenient moment! For a partnership between a parent and our setting to be successful, there needs to be a meaningful exchange of knowledge and information. Working with children and families, will sometimes bring us into contact with sensitive and confidential information. Every adult within playgroup, including students, are made aware of our confidentiality policy and are required to respect it.
What is the Early Years Foundation Stage?
This is a very important stage as it helps your child get ready for school as well as preparing them for their future learning and successes. From when your child is born up until the age of 5, their early years experience should be happy, active, exciting, fun and secure; and support their development, care and learning needs.
Nurseries, preschools, reception classes and childminders registered to deliver the EYFS must follow a legal document called the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework.
What is the EYFS Framework – why do we have one?
The EYFS Framework exists to support all professionals working in the EYFS to help your child, and was developed with a number of early years experts and parents. In 2012 the framework was revised to make it clearer and easier to use, with more focus on the things that matter most. This new framework also has a greater emphasis on your role in helping your child develop.
There is also guidance for the professionals supporting your child on planning the learning activities, and observing and assessing what and how your child is learning and developing.
What does it mean for me as a parent?Ensuring my child’s safety?
Much thought has been given to making sure that your child is as safe as possible. Within the EYFS there is a set of welfare standards that everyone must follow. These include the numbers of staff required in a nursery, how many children a childminder can look after, and things like administering medicines and carrying out risk assessments.
How my child will be learning ?
The EYFS Framework explains how and what your child will be learning to support their healthy development. Your child will be learning skills, acquiring new knowledge and demonstrating their understanding through 7 areas of learning and development.
Children should mostly develop the 3 prime areas first.
These are:·
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Physical Development
- Communication and Language
These prime areas are those most essential for your child’s healthy development and future learning.
The prime areas will help them to develop skills in 4 specific areas.
- Literacy,
- Mathematics,
- Understanding the world; and·
- Expressive arts and design.
These 7 areas are used to plan your child’s learning and activities. The professionals teaching and supporting your child will make sure that the activities are suited to your child’s unique needs. This is a little bit like a curriculum in primary and secondary schools, but it’s suitable for very young children, and it’s designed to be really flexible so that staff can follow your child’s unique needs and their individual interests.
Children in the EYFS learn by playing and exploring, being active, and through creative and critical thinking which takes place both indoors and outside.