Implementing Early Years Foundation Stage

Unit aim

This unit introduces learners to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which is a framework for practitioners in England to follow to ensure they meet the diverse needs of all the children in their setting and help them to fulfil their potential.

Learning outcomes

1 Understand the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) 

1.1 Describe the scope and legal status of the EYFS

1.2 Explain the overall structure of the EYFS

1.3 Explain the principles and themes of the EYFS

1.4 Explain how early years settings are inspected to check their delivery of the EYFS

1.5 Describe how children’s development is assessed at different points

2 Understand how to apply the safeguarding and welfare requirements within the EYFS

2.1 Identify the EYFS safeguarding and welfare requirements

2.2 Explain the rationale behind the safeguarding and welfare requirements

2.3 Evaluate the practical implications of the safeguarding and welfare requirements within the EYFS

3 Be able to implement the education programme within the EYFS

3.1 Describe the scope of the areas of learning in the EYFS

3.2 Evaluate how the four specific areas of learning relate to the three prime areas of the EYFS

3.3 Facilitate play activities for a given child that allows opportunities for the prime areas of learning

3.4 Use observations of a given child’s development to plan for progress within the EYFS

3.5 Balance adult-led and child-initiated activities

4 Be able to support children’s progress towards EYFS outcomes

4.1 Identify the EYFS outcomes

4.2 Evaluate children’s progress within the EYFS

4.3 Plan an adult-directed activity, which takes into account:

the identification of children’s needs and interests

links to the areas of learning

the need for activities to be playful