The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the regulatory and quality framework for the provision of learning, development and care for children in the preschool environment. A framework established by the British Government, it was launched in 2002, has been recently updated. 

 

The programme has six primary focus areas - social and emotional development; communication; language; literacy; problem solving, reasoning and numeracy; and creative and physical development.

 

The Kensington Nursery is offering pre-school learning for children of three to five years, using the British Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum delivered in accordance with the Reggio Emilia approach. Both the Reggio Emilia approach and the British Early Years Foundation believe in the importance of learning through play during the formative preschool years, which are the crucial stage of a child’s personal and social development.

 

 “In 2008 the UK’s Qualification Curriculum Authority [QCA] published a paper, which stressed that the importance of the environment, in supporting and extending children's development and learning stating  “The philosophy underpinning the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum is that learning should be carefully planned with an emphasis on activities that are relevant and motivating for each child.” The report also mentioned that the teachers must support children's learning through planned play and spontaneous play.   

 

Frances Wood, Director of Education at the Kensington Nursery, says, “The QCA findings are directly in alignment with the Reggio Emilia Approach. The children attending Kensington Nursery are engaged in various ways to learn through interactive and creative activities, allowing them to become more competent learners. The children become self assured and confident in learning situations, thereby finding the later transition to formal education less stressful and educational pursuits as a whole, more enjoyable.”