The Early Years Foundation Stage

From September 2008 a new statutory framework for learning, development and care for children from birth to five was introduced – "The Early Years Foundation Stage" (E.Y.F.S.).

The aim is to help young children achieve the Every Child Matters outcomes of Staying Safe, Enjoying and Achieving, Making a Positive Contribution and with Economic Well-Being.

The E.Y.F.S. is not about introducing a curriculum for young children, or making them read or write before they are ready; quite the reverse. It means being sure each individual child is learning through high quality play that is tailored to them. So they develop at their own pace, having fun, making friends and learning as they play.

All children should be able to play and learn in a fun environment with adults who understand and care about them.

Kinder Park Nursery recognises that children's experiences in the earliest years of their lives are critical to their subsequent development and that even from birth children are already competent learners with a rich experience from which to build on.

The E.Y.F.S. is made up of 6 areas of Learning and Development. These areas are connected to one another and are equally important. All areas of Learning and Development are underpinned by the four Principles of the E.Y.F.S.

A Unique Child

Recognises that every child is a competent learner from birth who can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.

Positive Relationships

We believe that children learn to be strong and independent from a base of loving and secure relationships with parents and/or a key person.

Enabling Environments

The environment we provide plays a key role in supporting and extending your child's development and learning.

Learning and Developing

We are aware of the 'holistic' nature of development and learning that each child may develop and learn in different ways and at different rates and all areas of learning and development are equally important and inter-connected.

Each of these four themes are then broken down into sixteen Commitments which we are required to fulfil.

Staff at Kinder Park Nursery have embraced the E.Y.F.S. and use the framework to plan around, so that every child will benefit and be given the opportunities to progress at their own pace. Activities and experiences are made enjoyable, fun and age-appropriate.

Before starting nursery your child will be allocated to a Key Person who has responsibilities of working with a small number of children meeting the needs of each child and responding sensitively to their feelings, ideas and behaviour. Every effort is made to promote positive relationships with the parent and child to enable a working partnership and support the child's learning, development and emotional well-being.

All staff are committed to observing and assessing your child's needs in order to determine the 'next step' which is then used to inform the planning and also monitor all stages of development. Written observations will often be supported by photographs and key person reports, identifying progress will be provided at different stages throughout this profile. These are updated termly in time for parents evening twice a year or for transition to another room or setting.

At Kinder Park Nursery we operate Continuous Provision to organise the high quality learning environment which will provide challenges and id inviting, stimulating, engaging and above all one which meets the needs of your child's age and stage of development. Learning outdoors is essential for all children and we endeavour to take indoor learning outside and vice versa.

Continuous Provision enables us to plan all areas of the learning environment, supporting child initiated and adult led activities. It includes resources and experiences which are constantly available, allowing children to revisit an experience in order to consolidate their learning. We aim to enhance the areas with resources which will engage the children and meet their individualised learning needs and interests allowing the nursery practitioners to plan for the all important 'next steps' in the child's development.