Introduction

At Meridian Primary School we deliver a curriculum based on the framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage.

We cover seven areas of learning and development which are implemented through planned, purposeful play, both outdoors and in. This learning is developed through rich, challenging learning experiences, which offer opportunities for the children to explore and take risks, learn through first-hand experience and to gain greater independence, supporting their natural curiosity, and motivation to learn.

As the children cover the areas of learning, we respond to their individual emerging needs and interests, guiding their development through warm, positive, skilful interactions, which we develop daily.

Areas of learning

The seven areas of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum are:

• Communication and language development - involves giving children opportunities to experience a rich language environment; to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves; and to speak and listen in a range of situations.

• Physical development - involves providing opportunities for young children to be active and interactive; and to develop their co-ordination, control, and movement. Children must also be helped to understand the importance of physical activity, and to make healthy choices in relation to food.

• Personal, social and emotional development - involves helping children to develop a positive sense of themselves, and others; to form positive relationships and develop respect for others; to develop social skills and learn how to manage their feelings; to understand appropriate behaviour in groups; and to have confidence in their own abilities.

• Literacy development - involves encouraging children to link sounds and letters and to begin to read and write. Children must be given access to a wide range of reading materials (books, poems, and other written materials) to ignite their interest.

• Mathematics - involves providing children with opportunities to develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems; and to describe shapes, spaces, and measures.

• Understanding the world - involves guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment.

• Expressive arts and design - involves enabling children to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials, as well as providing opportunities and encouragement for sharing their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role-play, and design and technology.

Effective learning

Underpinning and running through all seven areas of learning are the characteristics of effective learning. These represent fundamental processes rather than outcomes. They play a central role in the children's learning and in becoming an effective learner.

The characteristics of effective learning are:

Playing and exploring - engagement

• Finding out and exploring

• Playing with what they know

• Being willing to have a go

Active learning - motivation

• Being involved and concentrating

• Keeping trying

• Enjoying achieving what they set out to do

Creating and thinking critically - thinking

• Having their own ideas

• Making links

• Choosing ways to do things

The Early Years Foundation Stage Framework

The EYFS framework sets the standards that all early years providers must meet to ensure that children learn and develop well, gain the knowledge and skills which they need, and are kept safe and healthy. You can download and read the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework here. [EYFS Framework]

Useful Information

The Foundation Years website contains a great deal of useful information for families with children up to the age of 5. Click here to visit the website. [Foundation Years Website]

The booklet 'What to expect, when?' has been developed to help parents and carers to find out more about how their children are learning and developing during their first five years, in relation to the EYFS. You can find the booklet below.