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  • Early Years Foundation Stage Framework

    At Barrowcliff School we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework which is divided into 7 areas:

    Communication & Language

    Physical Development

    Personal, Social & Emotional Development

    Literacy

    Numeracy

    Understanding the World

    Expressive Arts & Design

    Listening, Attention & Understanding

    Speaking

    Gross Motor Skills

    Fine Motor Skills

    Self-Regulation

    Managing Self

    Building Relationships 

    Comprehension

    Word Reading

    Writing

    Number

    Numerical Patterns

    Past & Present

    People, Culture & Communities

    The Natural World

    Creating with Materials

    Being Imaginative & Expressive

    We want all our children to have a love for learning and a healthy curiosity about the world around them, so we foster the Characteristics of Effective Learning which are:

    Playing & exploring engagement

    Active learning - motivation

    Creating & thinking critically - thinking

    • Finding out & exploring
    • Playing with what they know
    • Being willing to have a go
    • Being involved & concentrating
    • Keeping trying
    • Enjoying achieving what they set out to do
    • Having their own ideas
    • Making links
    • Choosing ways to do things

    Every child is unique and develops and learns in different ways. We want all our children to be strong, independent, resilient, capable, confident and self-assured. They need to develop positive relationships with other children and adults in order to learn from each other through challenging, playful opportunities, across all areas of learning and development.

    In order to make all this possible the staff:

    • Understand and observe each childs development and learning, assess progress and plan for next steps
    • Identify any need for additional support
    • Value and respect all children and families equally
    • Foster a sense of belonging through warm relationships
    • Respond sensitively to the childs needs, feelings and interests
    • Support childrens own efforts and independence
    • Set clear and consistent boundaries
    • Provide stimulating resources relevant to all the childrens cultures and communities
    • Create rich learning opportunities through play and playful teaching
    • Provide support for children to take risks and explore

    The aim is for all children to achieve the Early Learning Goals (see below), as set out in the EYFS framework, in order to reach a Good Level of Development at the end of their time in their Reception class.

    For a printable version of the Early Learning Goals, click on the PDF below.

    Here is a really useful guide for parents and carers that gives information about the statutory framework together with practical ideas for supporting children from birth to age five.

    What to expect when

    Click below to view the whole document.