The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) applies to children from birth to the end of the
reception year. In our school, all children join us, part time in the nursery the term after
their third birthday and full time (optional for those Spring/Summer born children) at the
beginning of the school year in which they are five in the Reception Class.
The EYFS is based upon four principles:
● A Unique Child
● Positive Relationships
● Enabling Environments
● Learning and Development
At St. Andrew’s School we recognise that every child is a competent learner who can be
resilient, capable, confident and self assured. We recognise that children develop in
individual ways, at varying rates. Children’s attitudes and dispositions to learning are
influenced by feedback from others; we use praise and encouragement, as well as
celebration/ sharing assemblies and rewards, to encourage children to develop a positive
attitude to learning.
Children should be given opportunity to be creative through all areas of learning, not just
through the arts. Adults can support children’s thinking and help them to make connections
by showing genuine interest, offering encouragement, clarifying ideas and asking open
questions. Children can access resources freely and are allowed to move them around the
classroom to extend their learning.
Areas of Learning
The EYFS is made up of seven areas of learning:
3 prime Areas:
● Personal, Social and Emotional Development
● Communication and Language
● Physical Development
4 Specific Areas:
● Literacy
● Mathematics
● Understanding The World
● Expressive Arts and Design
None of these areas can be delivered in isolation from the others. They are equally
important and depend on each other. All areas are delivered through a balance of adult led
and child initiated activities. In each area there are Early Learning Goals (ELG’s) that
define the expectations for most children to reach by the end of the EYFS.
Please click the links below to see our Nursery children working hard and developing their skills.