Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
At Oakengates Nursery School, we believe every child should Belong, Achieve and Thrive. From their very first days with us, children are supported to feel safe, valued and included, to develop confidence as learners, and to build the foundations they need for a happy, successful future.
At Oakengates Nursery School, children from Birth to 4 years follow the statutory Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework (2025) for group and school-based providers.
The EYFS sets out the standards for learning, development and care for children from birth to five years and provides the foundations children need to thrive in nursery, their next stage of education and later life.
The Areas of Learning
The EYFS is organised into seven areas of learning, grouped into Prime and Specific areas.
Prime Areas
These are fundamental and support development across all other areas:
-
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
-
Communication and Language
-
Physical Development
Specific Areas
These build on the prime areas:
-
Literacy
-
Mathematics
-
Understanding the World
-
Expressive Arts and Design
Development Matters & Birth to Five
Our planning is informed by:
-
EYFS Statutory Framework (2025)
-
Development Matters (Revised 2023)
-
Birth to 5 Matters
These documents guide practitioners in understanding child development and ensuring children make strong progress from their individual starting points.
We use high-quality observation, assessment and professional judgement to plan next steps that are responsive to each child’s needs.
A Strong Foundation for School Readiness
Through the EYFS, children develop:
- Emotional security and independence
- Language and communication skills
- Physical coordination and fine motor control
- Early literacy and number understanding
- Curiosity, confidence and resilience
These foundations ensure children are confident, capable and well prepared for Reception.