Welcome to Pippin!

Class Teacher - Miss G Bailey

Teaching Assistants- Mrs L Voisey and Mrs N Flowers

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework

The EYFS Statutory Framework is a mandatory document for all Early Years settings. This is a document that sets the standards for the learning, development and care for children from birth to five. The EYFS Statutory Framework supports how and what the children will be taught in the Early Years, enabling the children to work towards achieving the Early Learning Goals.

Overarching Principles

There are four overarching principles set out in the EYFS Statutory Framework. These shape our teaching practice in Early Years at Speldhurst Primary School. The four principles are outlined below:

• Every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident, and self-assured.
• Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships.
• Children learn and develop well in enabling environments with teaching and support from adults, who respond to their individual interests and needs and help them to build their learning over time. Children benefit from a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and/or carers.
• Importance of learning and development. Children develop and learn at different rates. The framework covers the education and care of all children, including children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Areas of Learning and Development

There are seven areas of learning and development, all of which are important and interlinked. The seven areas are split into the three prime areas- particularly important for learning and forming relationships- and four specific areas which aim to strengthen and develop the prime areas, as well as ignite children’s curiosity and enthusiasm. The seven areas of learning and development are split into 17 Early Learning Goals. These are not used as a curriculum but to make a judgement about a child’s development at the end of Reception, and their readiness for Year 1. At the end of Reception, children will either be ‘Expected’ or ‘Emerging’ in each of the 17 goals.

Characteristics of Effective Learning

The characteristics of effective learning are interconnected with the prime and specific areas and outline how your child will learn throughout their time in the EYFS.  The characteristics of effective learning are split into three categories:

• Playing and Exploring – a child’s engagement
• Active Learning – a child’s motivation
• Creative and Critical Thinking – a child’s thinking

The characteristics of effective learning are vital skills that will support your child throughout their future in both their learning and life.

At Speldhurst Primary School, we use the characteristics of effective learning to promote active learners who challenge themselves in their play throughout the day while taking ownership of their own learning.