In the moment planning & The EYFS
In the moment
At Pre-School our "teaching" is delivered through "In the moment planning" where "teachable moments" are discovered through the child's play. This unique way allows us to develop each child at their own individual pace working with their interests. This also allows us to steer the child lead play into which objectives we wish to be assessing the children on. The spontaneity of the planning also enables us to keep enriched by what the children "see" and are fascinated by . . . Who can say what a child wants to explore tomorrow or even in the next five minutes! . . It's an exciting journey to share with them!
From the teachable moment the child feels valued, interesting, important, capable and able to learn as well as gaining knowledge, skills and understanding therefore making progress in one or even several areas of the Early Years Curriculum. We are able to gain a good understanding of the child’s knowledge, skills, attitude, understanding and progress.
From the teachable moment the child feels valued, interesting, important, capable and able to learn as well as gaining knowledge, skills and understanding therefore making progress in one or even several areas of the Early Years Curriculum. We are able to gain a good understanding of the child’s knowledge, skills, attitude, understanding and progress.
Planning
This way of working means that most of our planning is in the moment (there is little forward planning as we are following the child’s lead) We record what we have done retrospectively and if we feel that it would benefit the children in their next steps or for staff to see what does and doesn't work. We will plan some adult led sessions if we feel the children would benefit and these will be planned based on children's interests and next steps.
Observations
All observations made of the children are based on quality interactions between children or children and us teachers or record ‘wow moments’ when a child does something new for the first time. They will include any teaching that has taken place or progress that a child or group of children have made. All of our practitioners are responsible for highlighting progress in observations. Emphasis is highly placed on using ‘I wonder...’ statements e.g., ‘I wonder if...’, ‘I wonder what...’, ‘I wonder how...’. We feel that this approach to questioning is a lot less pressurising and allows the children to open up more readily. Parents are also asked to share any observations of ‘wow moments’ of their child(ren) at home.
Focus children
Instead of having focus activities, each week we have three or four focus children. The week before a child is one of our focus children, they take home a letter to their parents explaining this, and asking you to contribute your knowledge of your child too along with a few photographs. During each child’s focus week they will noticeably have more observations in their journals on which quality interactions and learning experiences are recorded.
EYFS
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is how the Government and early years professionals describe the time in your child’s life between birth and the age of 5. This is a very important stage as it helps your child get ready for school, as well as preparing them for their future learning and successes. From when your child is born up until the age of 5, their early years experience should be happy, active, exciting, fun and secure and support their development, care and learning needs.
Nurseries, pre-schools, school reception classes and childminders registered to deliver the EYFS must follow a legal document called the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework.
The EYFS Framework exists to support all professionals working in early years to help your child, and was developed with a number of early years experts and parents. In 2012, the framework was revised to make it clearer and easier to use, with more focus on the things that matter most. This new framework also has a greater emphasis on your role in helping your child develop.
The EYFS Framework explains how and what your child will be learning to support their healthy development. Your child will be learning skills, acquiring new knowledge and demonstrating their understanding through seven areas of learning and development. Children should mostly develop the three prime areas first. These are:
Communication and language
Physical development
Personal, social and emotional development
These prime areas are those most essential for your child’s healthy development and future learning. As children grow, the prime areas will help them to develop skills in four specific areas. These are:
Literacy
Mathematics
Understanding the world
Expressive arts and design
These seven areas are used to plan your child’s learning and activities. The professionals teaching and supporting your child will make sure that the activities are suited to your child’s unique needs. This is a little bit like a curriculum in primary and secondary schools, but it is suitable for very young children, and is designed to be really flexible so that staff can follow your child’s unique needs and interests. Through the EYFS, children learn by playing and exploring, being active, and through creative and critical thinking, which takes place both indoors and outside.
To read more about the EYFS, please visit www.foundationyears.org.uk.
Nurseries, pre-schools, school reception classes and childminders registered to deliver the EYFS must follow a legal document called the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework.
The EYFS Framework exists to support all professionals working in early years to help your child, and was developed with a number of early years experts and parents. In 2012, the framework was revised to make it clearer and easier to use, with more focus on the things that matter most. This new framework also has a greater emphasis on your role in helping your child develop.
The EYFS Framework explains how and what your child will be learning to support their healthy development. Your child will be learning skills, acquiring new knowledge and demonstrating their understanding through seven areas of learning and development. Children should mostly develop the three prime areas first. These are:
Communication and language
Physical development
Personal, social and emotional development
These prime areas are those most essential for your child’s healthy development and future learning. As children grow, the prime areas will help them to develop skills in four specific areas. These are:
Literacy
Mathematics
Understanding the world
Expressive arts and design
These seven areas are used to plan your child’s learning and activities. The professionals teaching and supporting your child will make sure that the activities are suited to your child’s unique needs. This is a little bit like a curriculum in primary and secondary schools, but it is suitable for very young children, and is designed to be really flexible so that staff can follow your child’s unique needs and interests. Through the EYFS, children learn by playing and exploring, being active, and through creative and critical thinking, which takes place both indoors and outside.
To read more about the EYFS, please visit www.foundationyears.org.uk.
