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Curriculum

At Busy Bees, we are proud to follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, which is a crucial framework in the UK designed for children from birth to age 5. This framework guides our early childhood education practice, ensuring that children receive a high-quality educational experience in their formative years. The EYFS sets the standards for learning, development, and care to help young children thrive and develop their potential.

What is EYFS?
EYFS is a comprehensive framework set out by the UK government that outlines the key standards for the care, development, and education of children aged 0 to 5. It includes essential guidelines and principles to foster a safe and nurturing environment where every child can learn and grow. The EYFS promotes the well-being and developmental needs of young children, helping them to build the foundations for their future education.

The Principles of EYFS
The EYFS is grounded in four key principles:

  • A Unique Child: Every child is a competent learner from birth who can be resilient, capable, confident, and self-assured.
  • Positive Relationships: Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships.
  • Enabling Environments: The environment plays a vital role in supporting and extending children’s development and learning.
  • Learning and Development: Children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates, and all areas of learning and development are equally important.

The EYFS Framework
The EYFS framework consists of several components, including learning and development requirements, assessment, and safeguarding and welfare. It outlines the knowledge and skills children should develop in their early years and encourages collaboration between parents, caregivers, and early education providers to support children’s learning.

The Learning Method in EYFS
The EYFS employs a play-based approach to learning, recognizing that children learn best through exploration and play. This method allows them to investigate their interests and ideas, helping to develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

The 7 Areas of Learning
The EYFS framework is divided into prime and specific areas of learning:

  • Prime Areas:
    1. Communication and Language: Developing listening skills and enhancing vocabulary.
    2. Physical Development: Encouraging both gross and fine motor skills through active play and movement.
    3. Personal, Social and Emotional Development: Fostering relationships, empathy, and self-regulation.

  • Specific Areas:
    1. Literacy: Engaging with stories, rhymes, and beginning to write and recognize letters and sounds.
    2. Mathematics: Exploring numbers, patterns, shapes, and problem-solving.
    3. Understanding the World: Encouraging curiosity about the world and the environment, including technology.
    4. Expressive Arts and Design: Allowing children to explore creativity through art, design, music, and movement.

Assessment in EYFS: Expected, Emerging, Exceeding
Assessment in the EYFS is integral to understanding children’s development and progress. It helps educators tailor learning experiences to meet the needs of each child effectively. Children are generally assessed against the Early Learning Goals (ELGs) at the end of the EYFS, which typically occurs at age 5.
The assessment categorizes children’s progress into three levels:
  1. Emerging: This indicates that a child is just starting to develop skills in a particular area and may require additional support to reach the expected level. Children at this level are beginning to show understanding but have not yet fully mastered the skills.
  2. Expected: This rating signifies that a child has met the expected level of development for their age and demonstrates a good understanding of the skills and knowledge outlined in the EYFS framework. They can typically engage confidently and competently in a range of activities.
  3. Exceeding: A child rated as exceeding shows a high level of understanding and skill in a particular area. These children often demonstrate advanced capabilities and can apply their knowledge in more complex situations. They may need more challenging activities to continue their learning journey.
The Importance of Free Play in EYFS and Child Development

At Busy Bees, we strongly believe in the significance of free play and outdoor activities for children’s development. Free play is a vital aspect of the EYFS, allowing children to explore, create, and learn at their own pace. Through free play, children develop essential social skills such as cooperation, negotiation, and communication. Additionally, it fosters cognitive development as they encounter challenges, make decisions, and experiment with different ideas.

Our focus on outdoor play provides children with opportunities to engage with nature, develop physical skills, and enhance their creativity as they explore the world around them. The outdoor environment promotes active play, which is crucial for physical development and overall well-being.

Moreover, our adult-to-student ratio allows for a personalized approach to learning, ensuring that each child receives the attention and support they need to explore safely. With dedicated educators nearby, children can confidently engage in activities thatignites their imagination and creativity, encouraging them to think outside the box and develop a sense of discovery about the world around them.

The Early Years Foundation Stage is an essential framework that provides the foundation for lifelong learning and development. By embracing the principles of EYFS, supporting the seven areas of learning, utilizing assessments of emerging, expected, and exceeding levels, and promoting free play, caregivers and educators can create enriching environments that nurture and support every child’s unique journey.