All these areas are important and inter-connected. The three prime areas are particularly crucial for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive.

 

All the areas are delivered through planned, purposeful play, with a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities. The children have daily opportunities for structured or free-flow play both between classroom and outdoor area. During this time the adults will act as facilitators in play, encouraging the children to challenge and develop their learning.

 

In the EYFS we analyse and review what we know about each child’s development and learning through observational assessment, and then make informed decisions about the child’s progress. This enables us to plan the next steps to meet their development and learning needs.

 

Observational assessment informs everyday planning and is based on on-going observations of each child’s achievements, interests and learning styles. Formative assessment may take the form of anecdotal observations (from practitioners, school staff and Parents/carers in the form WOW moments shared on Tapestry), focused observations, baseline assessment, other focused assessments e.g. sound/number, annotated examples of work, photographs, video and information from parents. Each child has an individual Learning Journey in which this evidence is stored. We plan for observational assessment when undertaking our medium and short term planning.

 

Additional information can be found here on the Department for Education's website.