Putting the EYFS Curriculum into Practice

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Effective assessment practice is based on key principles, knowledgeable adults and the right systems and routines. If we don’t have a clear vision for EYFS assessment within our school or setting then practice can become weighed down by the burden of too many unnecessary written observations and captured images. If we’re not careful, this information gathering process can take place at the expense of effective adult interaction. If, as the EYFS statutory guidance states: “the number and quality of conversations…language rich environment underpins children’s learning” then it would be ironic if the recording of progress became a barrier to progress. Written by experts in the field, this book provides clear, practical guidance on each of the 7 areas of learning and development in the revised (2021) EYFS. The EYFS recognises the importance of the wider environment both in working in partnership with parents and the ethos of the EYFS, providing equality of care and education for all. Research has shown that good quality early education and care has wide – ranging benefits for all children. Being provided across nurseries, reception classes, pre – schools, children’s centres and childminders, it enhances social and cognitive skills and is of particular benefit to disadvantaged children (N.A: 2010). However other curriculums have also the quality input that the EYFS has, for example the High Scope Curriculum, Montessori etc. It could be argued that children who have an intellectually and physically stimulating environment will maintain a more complex network of synapses in the brain (Bee: 1997). These biological changes in nature can have implications for practice, the EYFS however has a variety of suitable activities planned for those at different ages and stages of development. This is a prime example of how ‘nurture can influence nature.

Think before shouting at your child: to them, words can be as harmful as physical blows | Peter Fonagy The EYFS Statutory Framework obliges practitioners to provide experiences which are based on children’s interests. Sometimes the children have interests that we feel uncomfortable with. As professionals we need to be able to identify what this is for each of us and then find ways of feeling more comfortable with it. Islington Council’s Engaging Boys leaflet may be helpful to read. The Vivienne Gussin Paley quote below is a timely reminder. The EPPE Project (Sylva et al, 2004: Chapter 4) identified the importance of a form of interaction between children and adults, that they call ‘sustained shared thinking’ in promoting children’s learning and development which is now as part of the EYFS. On the other hand working in partnership with parents is essential as it helps all children to achieve their full potential. As stated in The Times (2008), “The EYFS is about responding to the individuality of each child, in the context of loving and secure relationships and creating a stimulating and enabling environment that will promote age – appropriate experiences for learning and development”. Furthermore, Nurse A.D (2007:73) states that “Children can be said to prefer to learn through the enactive mode as their ability to represent images and use symbols is less well developed”. In this Bruner agreed with Piaget that active, first – hand experiences are an appropriate way to present new knowledge to young children. Nevertheless it could be alleged that children who have strong home learning environments are ahead socially and intellectually by the age of three, which is continued into schooling. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model of human development emphasises the role of the wider environment and the children’s interaction within it. Bronfenbrenner and Caci (1994) proposed that the environment was the main influence on children’s development. Bronfenbrenner produced systems which included the following ‘Microsystems’, ‘Macrosystems’ and ‘Exosystems’. The following diagram illustrated below shows how these systems are interacted and impact on the child’s learning and development. (Smith et al: 2003). Bronfenbrenner also led the ‘Head Start’ programme in America which required helping disadvantaged children overcome their poor beginnings.Also, the nature of adult relationships is closely linked to self- regulation. If our staff’s main concern is to position themselves behind an I pad then opportunities to support self-regulation through a nurturing, supportive relationship will be missed. As Julian Grenier, the author of the Development Matters document states: Just wanted to let people know about this excellent publication ( Edited by Julian Grenier and Caroline Vollans) and how much we, the FSF/Tapestry education team, are enjoying it. We meet every week to discuss all things early years and primary and at every other meeting we choose a chapter to read and discuss. It's been such a great experience- keeping us all up to date with the latest thinking and helping us to express our own views to each other. If I were still running a setting, I'd be using this in staff meetings. Thoroughly recommend it. I think some of my colleagues are going to come in and say something about the chapters they chose, but the one I was particularly interested in was Jan Dubiel's 'Understanding Assessment and Curriculum'.

The ShREC approach – four evidence informed strategies to promote high quality interactions with young children This book offers a step-by-step guide to implementing a play-based curriculum in Year 1 while fully achieving the National Curriculum objectives. The authors explore the key barriers and common pitfalls that often arise around this crucial transition, and show teachers how to successfully lead children from the Reception stage through Year 1 and to the subject-based teaching beyond. Providing practical advice and guidance for busy teachers, the authors clearly and concisely illustrate their methods with theory, personal stories and colourful photographs from transitional stories they have been a part of. Let Me Be Five shows teachers how to plan the curriculum in a way that builds on children’s experiences in the Early Years Foundation Stage and gives them meaningful contexts for learning. Including real-life case studies and views from parents and teachers, this book will give you the knowledge and confidence to plan a play-based curriculum, based on children’s interests and developmental needs that will enable every learner to thrive.So, hopefully you’re all set. You’ve attended the training on the new EYFS framework, you’ve read the documentation, followed the many online debates and now, finally you’re ready to put the framework into practice- your practice.

Once your aims are clear, you are ready to plan your Professional Development programme. This is most likely to be effective if it’s based on the best available evidence and clearly focused on improving children’s experiences in your setting. Consider how your programme will lead to: Professional Development can lead to improvements in quality. But, in practice, it doesn’t always succeed in that. Professional Development has to be planned carefully, delivered well and regularly evaluated. It needs to be seen as a year-round activity, not a one-off event. Dr Julian Grenier CBEis the headteacher of Sheringham Nursery School and Children’s Centre.He was the lead writer of Development Matters (2021).Context: understanding the current context and challenges, and ensuring that we make the right choices for the children we are working with In your setting, is the recording of progress a barrier to effective adult interaction and the building of positive relationships? Only 49.1% of children eligible for free school meals achieved the GLD, compared to 68.8% of those not known to be eligible for free school meals. That’s a whopping 19.6 percentage point gap. The Early Years Curriculum brings together a range of curriculum models from across the world, providing in-depth discussion on key issues and theories, and enabling readers to consider each approach to children's learning within an international context. It encourages readers to explore different ways of understanding the curriculum, and to develop a critical understanding of the key issues that shape the way a curriculum is designed. Since the revised Development Matters was published for early adopter schools in September 2020, there have been several video discussions (vlogs) and blogs about the new guidance. Hear from Julian Grenier with representatives from Ofsted and the Department for Education: