Learning Through Play in the Early Years
Play is a vital part of how young children learn and develop. Through play, children explore and make sense of the world around them. It supports the growth of their physical, social, emotional, and intellectual skills. Research shows that young children learn best by doing and talking, which is why play is such an effective way for them to develop thinking skills. It is also through play that children begin to build relationships and learn to socialise, as they interact with peers and adults in shared learning experiences.
At our setting, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) – a play-based framework designed to support children from birth to five years old in reaching their full potential. Using the EYFS as a guide, we plan and provide a wide range of engaging, age-appropriate play activities that promote progress across the seven areas of learning and development.
Each child is supported by a key person, who closely observes how they are learning and developing. These observations, along with supporting evidence such as photographs, videos, and examples of the child’s work, are used to document their progress and guide future planning.
We are committed to working in partnership with you. Staff will share updates with you regularly through informal conversations at drop-off and pick-up times. In addition, more formal reviews of your child’s progress will be shared with you at key stages. These reviews will help us work together to support your child as they move forward in their learning journey.
To find out more, please see our Early Years Curriculum.
Assessing Your Child's Development
| Progress check at age two | your key person will work with you to prepare a summary of their development in the prime areas of learning |
| Early Years Foundation Stage Profile | as your child prepares to start school at age five, an Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP) is completed to providing a review of your child’s progress as they come to the end of the EYFS |
Working Together to Support Your Child’s Development
There are lots of opportunities for you to help your child grow, learn, and thrive. As a parent, you play a vital role in your child’s early development. Choosing meaningful and engaging activities at home not only encourages your child to explore but also nurtures their creativity, imagination, and curiosity about the world around them.
At our setting, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) – a care and learning framework used by all early years providers to ensure that children develop well in a safe and healthy environment. The EYFS supports each child’s learning journey through a balanced mix of child-led play and adult-guided experiences.
The EYFS is built on four guiding principles that shape our daily practice and create a strong foundation for every child’s development:
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