7 Areas of Learning
Raising Explorers Nursery provides education through a framework, known as The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
Communication & Language
Expressive Arts & Design
Mathematics
Literacy
Physical Development
Understanding the World
Key Fetures of the EYFS Framework
At Raising Explorers Nursery, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum set by the UK government. This curriculum supports children from birth to 5 years old and lays the foundation for lifelong learning.
- A Holistic Approach: Supports emotional, physical, and social wellbeing alongside academics.
- Play-Based Learning: Encourages exploration through purposeful play.
- School Readiness: Prepares children with the confidence and skills needed for school.
- Learning Through Observation: Progress is regularly observed and shared with families.
Prime Areas
Communication and Language
We build confidence through storytelling, conversations, songs, and interactive play. Children learn to express themselves and understand others.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
We guide children in understanding feelings, building friendships, and developing independence. Kindness, empathy, and respect are at the heart of everything we do.
Physcial Development
Movement, coordination, and healthy choices are encouraged daily. We use both indoor and outdoor spaces to promote active play.
Specific Areas
Literacy
From phonics to picture books, we ignite a love for reading and writing. Children enjoy mark-making, storytelling, and letter recognition.
Mathematics
Counting, sorting, shapes, and patterns are woven into daily activities.
Understanding the World
We explore nature, cultures, technology, and our local community. Activities include nature walks, cooking, and exploring celebrations from around the world.
Expressive Arts and Design
Creativity flows through music, movement, painting, building, and role play. Children are encouraged to explore their ideas freely and confidently.
Themes and principles
The Early Years Foundation Stage is built around four specific themes that underpin all EYFS guidance.
- The Unique child: The framework states that every child is unique, constantly learning, and that they can be resilient, capable, confident, and self-assured.
- Positive Relationships: By supporting the children and building positive relationships with them, they can learn to be strong and independent.
- Enabling environments: Children learn and develop successfully when placed in enabling environments, in which their experiences respond to their individual needs, and there is a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and carers.
- Learning and development: Children develop and learn in different ways. The framework covers the education and care of all children in early years provision, including children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Characteristics of effective learning
The characteristics of effective learning are an important aspect in the early years foundation stage. They describe the ways in which children should be learning from their environment, experiences, and activities. Children up to the age of five should all be displaying the characteristics of effective learning every day.
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 to do things