Parent Guide

The EYFS Framework supports all professionals working in the Early Years Foundation Stage to help your child. It was developed by a number of early years experts and parents.

In 2012 the framework was revised to make it clearer and easier to use, with more focus on the things that matter most. The framework emphasizes the importance of your role in helping your child develop, so it is completely in keeping with the parental involvement philosophy that we endorse at DBF.

The EYFS Framework explains how and what your child will be learning to support their healthy development.

Your child will be learning skills, acquiring new knowledge and demonstrating their understanding through 7 areas of learning and development:

All 7 areas are considered when your child's teacher plans a learning program for your child and all of the specialist teachers too will make sure that all activities offered are suited to your child's unique needs. This is similar to following a curriculum in primary and secondary schools, but to be suitable for very young children, the EYFS Framework is designed to be very flexible to allow teachers to respond to your child's unique needs and interests. 

All the fun activities that you do with your child at home are important in supporting learning and development and spending quality time with your child will have a very positive impact on your child's learning. If you make the time every day to do some of the following things with your child it will make a real difference and will help your child to be successful. 

• Talk about the number, colours, words and letters you see everywhere you look
• Allow your child to cut out and stick pictures from magazines
• Sing and tell nursery rhymes
• Talk to your child at every opportunity and listen to what they say
• Share a book
• Cook/Bake

At the end of the EYFS, in the summer term of FS2 - teachers complete an assessment, known as the EYFS Profile. This assessment is carried out by the class teacher and is based upon what has been observed about your child's achievements over a period of time. 

Finding out at this stage how your child is doing will mean that the teacher your child has in their next school year - year 1 - will know what your child really enjoys doing and does well, as well as helping them decide if your child needs a little extra support, what that support should be. At the end of the academic year you will receive a report of your child's progress. 

You can find the Early Years Foundation Stage which includes the early learning goals at www.foundationyears.org.uk. The foundation years website also includes a range of resources and contacts.