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Our EYFS Curriculum

Key Features of the EYFS Framework

At Raising Explorers Nursery, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum set by the UK government. This curriculum supports children from birth to 5 years old and lays the foundation for lifelong learning.

A Holistic Approach

Supports emotional, physical, and social wellbeing alongside academics.

Play-Based Learning

Encourages exploration through purposeful play.

School Readiness

Prepares children with the confidence and skills needed for school.

Learning Through Observation

Progress is regularly observed and shared with families.

Prime Areas

Communication and Language

We build confidence through storytelling, conversations, songs, and interactive play. Children learn to express themselves and understand others.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

We guide children in understanding feelings, building friendships, and developing independence. Kindness, empathy, and respect are at the heart of everything we do.

Physical Development

Movement, coordination, and healthy choices are encouraged daily. We use both indoor and outdoor spaces to promote active play.

Specific Areas

Literacy + Mathematics

From phonics to picture books, we ignite a love for reading and writing. Children enjoy mark-making, storytelling, and letter recognition.

Counting, sorting, shapes, and patterns are woven into daily activities.

Understanding the World

We explore nature, cultures, technology, and our local community. Activities include nature walks, cooking, and exploring celebrations from around the world.

Expressive Arts and Design

Creativity flows through music, movement, painting, building, and role play. Children are encouraged to explore their ideas freely and confidently.

Themes and Principles

The Early Years Foundation Stage is built around four specific themes that underpin all EYFS guidance.

The Unique Child: The framework states that every child is unique, constantly learning, and that they can be resilient, capable, confident, and self-assured.

Positive Relationships: By supporting the children and building positive relationships with them, they can learn to be strong and independent.

Enabling Environments: Children learn and develop successfully when placed in enabling environments, in which their experiences respond to their individual needs, and there is a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and carers.

Learning and Development: Children develop and learn in different ways. The framework covers the education and care of all children in early years provision, including children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Characteristics of Effective Learning

The characteristics of effective learning are an important aspect in the early years foundation stage. They describe the ways in which children should be learning from their environment, experiences, and activities. Children up to the age of five should all be displaying the characteristics of effective learning every day.

Playing and exploring
Engagement

  • Finding out and exploring
  • Playing with what they know
  • Being willing to have a go

Active learning
Motivation

  • Being involved and concentrating
  • Keeping trying
  • Enjoying achieving what they set out to do

Creating and thinking critically
Thinking

  • Having their own ideas
  • Making links
  • Choosing to do things