The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) took effect from September 2008 and is currently under review. It is built on four key principles:
- a unique child
- positive relationships
- enabling environments
- learning and development.
Six areas of learning and development are identified. All are connected to one another and are equally important.
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Communication, Language and Literacy
- Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy
- Knowledge and Understanding of the World
- Physical Development
- Creative Development.
Go to the Early Years Audiences page of this website for insight into providing for young children in museums.
Primary children spend most of their time on maths (Numeracy), English (Literacy), ICT and science. In addition they study geography, history, art and design, design and technology, music, PE and RE. Although not statutory they also learn about PSHE (Personal, Social, Health Education) and citizenship. From 2010 all Key Stage 2 children have had the right to study modern foreign languages, which is set to become statutory.
Websites:
- For ideas in Early Years, see NurseryWorld.
- Find out more about EYFS on the Department for Education website.
- For early years, foundation and family learning, see the Family Learning website.
- Keep up to date with government policy on teaching and learning at www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning.
Find out more about how museums support primary history, art, science, literacy, citizenship using the menu on the left.
