Early years foundation stage care and education

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) of care and education covers children's learning from birth to five. All providers of group childcare and education for this age group are expected to plan for children's learning using the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, including all private, voluntary, independent and maintained nurseries and reception classes, and registered childminders.

Young children learn best through play. The Early Years Foundation Stage acknowledges the central importance of play, direct experiences and active learning to support young children's learning effectively.

The EYFS practice guidance identifies four main themes: a unique child; positive relationships; enabling environments; and learning and development. Each theme is further divided into 16 commitments, which providers must use to plan their provision. There are six areas of learning and development:

• Personal, social and emotional development
• Communication, language and literacy
• Problem-solving, reasoning and numeracy
• Physical development
• Knowledge and understanding of the world
• Creative development

The EYFS statutory framework outlines welfare standards which all providers must meet.

For more information, call the early years service and ask to speak to an early years advisory teacher.
tel: 020 7364 5006
email: early.years@towerhamlets.gov.uk