Parents Guide to EYFS
At Children’s House Montessori we want to offer each and every child the opportunity to grow and develop at their own pace, within a structured, prepared environment. Our curriculum is based on the Montessori philosophy using Montessori materials but is structured so that each child works towards the early learning goals within the EYFS framework in preparation for school.
The Statutory Framework for the EYFS states “Every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to fulfil their potential. Children develop quickly in the early years and a child’s experiences between birth and age five have a major impact on their future life chances”.
OVERARCHING PRINCIPLES
The four guiding principles from the EYFS sits very well with Montessori philosophy and approach and are embedded into our daily practice. They are;
A unique child – every child is unique, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured;
Positive relationships – children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships;
Enabling environments – Children learn and develop well in enabling environments, in which their experiences respond to their individual needs and there is a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and carers.
Children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates. The framework covers the education and care of all children in early years provision, including children with special educational needs and disabilities.
The EYFS has developed these to incorporate three characteristics of effective learning:
- 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, enjoying achieving what they set out to do.
- Creating and thinking critically – thinking – Having their own ideas, choosing ways to do things.