The EYFS: A Practical Guide for Students and Professionals

Summary:

Endorsed by CACHE, this is the ideal book for you if you are an early years professional, a Level 2 or Level 3 child care learner, are working in a pre-school or are working as a child minder. This book will de-mystify the revised 2012 Early Years Foundation Stage, and show how you can deliver the new EYFS using the best and most effective standards of professional practice.

Each chapter explains a key theme of the EYFS and follows the same model to ensure ease of reading: 'Understanding this theme', 'Looking at children', 'What the experts say' and 'Effective practice'.

The most important theory and research relating to each aspect of the EYFS is clearly and simply explained, and suggestions as to how this can influence effective practice are included.

Links between child development and the EYFS are demonstrated using carefully analysed observations of children at different ages, highlighting not only common themes but also the uniqueness in every child's learning and development.

Case studies in every chapter provide practical examples of best practice and activities help you reflect on and develop your own practice.

• Supports students and professionals with the understanding and application of the revised EYFS
• Covers all the key aspects of the revised EYFS relating to support for children's learning and development, with an emphasis on explaining best practice and practical examples
• Explains some of the complex ideas within the revised EYFS in simple and accessible language
• Provides opportunities for self evaluation and reflection on practice to support students and existing practitioners
• Clearly and simply explains the latest theory and research as relates to the EYFS and how it can influence effective practice
• Endorsed by CACHE, giving you the assurance that the content has been approved by the leading awarding body in Child Care qualifications.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Section 1: EYFS themes, principles and commitments
Chapter 1: A Unique Child
Chapter 2: Positive Relationships
Chapter 3: Enabling Environments
Chapter 4: Learning and Development
Chapter 5: Developing strong partnerships with parents and carers
Section 2: The Characteristics of Learning
Chapter 6: Playing and exploring
Chapter 7: Active Learning
Chapter 8: Creating and thinking critically
Section 3: Learning and Development: The Prime areas of learning
Chapter 9: Personal, social and emotional decvelopment
Chapter 10: Communication and language development
Chapter 11: Physical development
Section 4: Learning and Development: The specific areas of learning
Chapter 12: Literacy
Chapter 13: Mathematics
Chapter 14: Understanding the world
Chapter 15: Expressive arts and design
Section 5: Assessment in the in the EYFS
Chapter 16: Assessing children's learning throughout the EYFS

About the Author(s):

Vicky Hutchin has many years of experience as an early years practitioner, teacher, writer, Local Authority consultant and was Senior Years Foundation Stage Regional Adviser in the National Strategies early years team, and was involved in the consultation and the support materials for the original EYFS.

Readership:
CACHE Level 2, Level 3