EYFS
THE EYFS CURRICULUM
' All children deserve the care and support they need to have the best start in life. Children learn and develop at a faster rate from birth to five years old than at any other time in their lives, so their experiences in early years have a major impact on their future life chances. A secure, safe, and happy childhood is important in its own right. Good parenting and high-quality early learning provide the foundation children need to fulfil their potential. The EYFS sets the standards that all early years providers must meet to ensure that children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. It promotes teaching and learning to ensure children’s ‘school readiness’ and gives children the right foundation for good future progress through school and life.’
(Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework, 2025)
In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) at Frome Valley our children learn through playing, exploring and being creative and curious. They have access to a wide variety of inspiring and engaging learning opportunities throughout each and every school day. At Frome Valley we prioritise time spent outdoors and our children take part in a combination of carefully planned adult-led activities and independent learning. Children learn through play and through time spent practising and refining key skills.
Please click on the links below for a closer look at how we organise and plan the learning for children in the EYFS at Frome Valley.
The Prime AREAS
The EYFS Curriculum is made up of seven areas of learning. All of the areas of learning are important but there are three areas in which children develop skills which lay the foundation for learning in the other areas. These areas are referred to as the PRIME AREAS of learning:
- Communication and language
- Physical Development
- Personal, social and emotional development
THE SPECIFIC AREAS
The SPECIFIC AREAS of learning build upon the skills learnt in the prime areas:
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts and Design
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF EFFECTIVE LEARNING
The characteristics of effective learning are a set of behaviours which children use in order to learn. At Frome Valley these key behaviours are consistently and continuously modelled, taught and encouraged throughout the curriculum:
PLAYING AND EXPLORING: children investigate and explore and are keen to 'have a go'.
ACTIVE LEARNING: Children celebrate their own achievements and are able to persist and concentrate to complete a task.
CREATIVE AND CRITICAL THINKING: Children ask questions, have their own ideas and make links in their learning.
INTENT
In our EYFS at Frome Valley we have a three-tier curriculum which supports the development of every child, from the youngest members of our Pre School to the oldest children in our Reception class. The curriculum has been designed specifically for the needs of our children to ensure continuity in learning through carefully planned progression of knowledge and skills.
Children access a wide range of rich learning opportunities across all areas of the EYFS with a strong focus on developing Communication and Language skills and fostering a love of reading. The curriculum is designed to ignite curiosity, promote independence, and respond to children’s individual needs and interests.Children's learning may be adult-led or child initiated, in the indoor or the outdoor learning environments. We offer a broad and balanced range of activities that aim to enagage and inspire all learners.
Themes and key concepts are thoughtfully aligned with the Key Stage 1 curriculum, providing consistency and preparing children for a smooth and confident transition into Year 1. This careful alignment supports deeper understanding and long-term learning across subjects, while retaining the flexibility and child-centred approach that is essential in the early years.
