Early years curriculum
To keep up-to-date of the developments in the Early Years market, Hays Early Years details some of the key issues and learning strategies.
Sure Start: An overview
Sure Start is a cornerstone of the Government's commitment to halve child poverty by 2010. It brings together early education, more and better childcare, and integrated services including children's centres and Sure Start local programmes.
The objectives of the Sure Start Unit are to:
- Transform education, health and family support services for children under five and their families
- Increase the availability of high quality childcare for all age groups whose parents need it
- Meet the needs of the most disadvantaged, so children can fulfil their potential
- Build a better future for all children - closing the gap between children in poverty and those in the wider community
- Ensure a better future for all parents - opening routes out of poverty
- Build stronger and safer communities - less crime, better employment prospects
'Birth to three matters'
In November 2002, the Sure Start Unit launched 'Birth to three matters: A framework to support children in their earliest years'. 'Birth to Three Matters' is a set of resources developed with the aim of guiding the way babies and toddlers are cared for when they are with childcare providers.
It aims to help childcare workers think professionally about the developmental needs of the individual child and ensure their time with their carer is happy and productive.
The 'Birth to three Matters' Framework covers four aspects of children's development:
- A strong child
- A skillful communicator
- A competent learner
- A healthy child
The Foundation Stage
From April 2004, the entitlement to free, part-time early education was extended to all three year olds. At this point children can enter the Foundation Stage, a phase of education for three to five year olds.
The Foundation Stage is the first stage of the National Curriculum, and can be delivered in a range of settings. As the Foundation Stage continues until the start of Year 1 (Key Stage 1 of the National Curriculum) it also covers education delivered in primary school reception classes.
The Foundation Stage gives a framework that allows early years settings to devise the content of their own individual educational programmes to meet the needs of the individual child in their care.
It also sets out the principles of early education, including working in partnership with parents, building on what children already know and can do, and children enjoying the activities which they plan themselves.
Early Learning Goals
The Early Learning Goals set out the skills, knowledge, understanding and attitudes that it is hoped children will reach by the end of the Foundation Stage.
- Personal, social and emotional development
- Communication, language and literacy
- Mathematical development
- Creative development
- Knowledge and understanding of the world
- Physical development
Play
Play is one of the key ways children learn throughout the Foundation Stage. Children can learn with enjoyment and challenge and gain the key skills they need for future learning. Different types of play are all part of the curriculum, for example Heuristic Play and Outdoor Play.
Heuristic play (with objects) is a safe way of satisfying young children's needs for exploratory play while sustaining their interest and concentration.
Every Child Matters
'Every Child Matters', sets out the Government's proposals for reforming the delivery of services for children, young people and families. Key services are to be integrated under the Director of Children's Services as part of Children's Trusts, which bring together:
- Local authority education
- Social services
- Some children's health services
- Connexions
