What to Expect in the Early Years Foundation Stage (Nursery and Reception): Part One

When your child starts nursery or reception, this can be an anxious time: it may be the first time you have left your child in the care of a near-stranger.  You will generally be expected to stay with them in nursery until they are settled (one or two days); in reception it is expected that you will leave them after ten minutes or so.

Your child will generally start with a shortened day (a couple of hours or so for a few days) in order to help them get used to this new setting.   Each child is assigned a key person.  They will ensure that your child’s learning and care is tailored to meet their individual needs.

Activities:

Children learn through a variety of activities in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS):

– Playing and exploring – children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’;
– Active learning – children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties, and enjoy achievements.
– Creating and thinking critically – children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things.

The above is part one of a series of posts: next, we explain the Early Learning Goals (Prime Areas) of the Early Years Foundation Stage (Communication and Language, Physical Development, Health and Self-care and Personal, Social and Emotional Development). 

Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net