The EYFS principles which guide the work of all practitioners are grouped into four distinct by complementary themes:
A unique Child
Positive Relationships
Enabling Environments
Learning and Development
Effective practice in the EYFS is built on these four guiding themes. They provide content for the requirements and describe how practitioners should support the development, learning and care of young children. The themes are each broken down into four commitments describing how the principles can be put into practice.
A Unique Child recognises that every child is a competent learnerfrom birth who can be resilient, capable, confident and self assured. The commitments are focused around development; inclusion; safety; and health and wellbeing.
Positive Relationships described how children learn to be strong and independent from a base of loving and secure relationships with parents and/or a key person. The commitments are focused around respect; partnership with parents; supporting learning; and the role of the key person.
Enabling Environments explains that the environment plays a key role in supporting and extending children’s development and learning. The commitments are focused around observation, assessment and planning; support for every child; the learning environment; and the wider context- transitions, continuity, and multi- agency working.
Learning and Development recognises that children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates, and that all areas of learning and development are equally important and inter-connected.
This approach ensures that the EYSF meets the overarching aim of improving outcomes and reflects that it is every child’s right to grow up safe; healthy; enjoying and achieving; making a positive contribution; and with economic well-being.
