The early years foundation stage (EYFS) sets standards for the learning, development, and care of a child from birth to 5 years old.
All schools and Ofsted-registered early years providers must follow the EYFS, including childminders, preschools, nurseries and school reception classes.
Areas of Learning
At the core of the EYFS are the seven areas of learning, which encompass the knowledge, skills, and experiences children need to thrive:
- Communication and Language: Developing children’s ability to express themselves and understand others.
- Physical Development: Promoting children’s physical health, coordination, and self-care skills.
- Personal, Social, and Emotional Development: Supporting children’s self-awareness, relationships, and emotional well-being.
- Literacy: Fostering children’s early reading and writing skills.
- Mathematics: Building children’s understanding of numbers, shapes, and measures.
- Understanding the World: Helping children make sense of their physical world and community.
- Expressive Arts and Design: Encouraging children’s creativity and self-expression through various mediums.
Free Education for 2 Year Olds
Free early learning places are available in Royal Greenwich for some two-year-olds and all three- and four-year-olds. Free early learning for two-year-olds is known as Together for Twos.
If your child is two or will soon be two, he or she may be eligible for a free early learning place in Royal Greenwich.
This depends on certain criteria such as if your child has additional needs or if your family receives any of the following benefits:
- Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
- Income Support
- Child Tax Credit and/or Working Tax Credit (your annual gross income mustn’t be over £16,190)
- Universal Credit (if you and your partner are on a low income from work – this usually means a combined income of less than £15,400 a year after tax
- Disability Related Working Tax Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under part six of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Pension Credit Guarantee and Child Tax Credit.
2-year-olds can also get free childcare if they:
- Are looked after by a Local Authority
- Have a statement of special education needs (SEN) or an education, health and care Plan (EHCP)
- Get Disability Living Allowance
- Have left care under an adoption order, Special Guardianship Order or a Child Arrangement Order
Check if your child is eligible
To find out more you can contact your local children’s centre or the Families Information Service.
Free Education for 3 – 4 Year Olds
Free early learning places are available for all three and four-year-olds across Royal Greenwich at:
- private and independent nurseries
- pre-school playgroups
- children’s centres, nursery schools or nursery classes of primary schools
- some registered child minders who have been specially accredited.
Places are flexible and are available for 15 hours a week, 38 weeks a year. Some working families may be eligible for 30 hours a week.
Applying for a place in mainstream education.
You must apply for a primary school place a year before your child can start school.
Applications open in September and close on 15 January. Your child will be 3 or have just turned 4 when you apply. You’ll need to apply then even if you want your child to start part-way through the year.
Early Years Foundation Stage
Going to nursery is a very exciting you will be placed with other children the same age as you and get to explore a whole new space. There will be a lot of adults there to help with different activities and best of all you will get to do a lot of learning through play. This allows you to learn at your own speed. You will take part in a lot of messy play which will help you to build fine motor control, problem-solving skills, foundational math and science concepts, language and vocabulary, social-emotional skills, and so much more!
What to expect when you go to school
The first year at school is spent in reception class which is still part of the Early Years Foundation Stage. You will love reception class as there are lots of activities both inside and outside the classroom.
