Curriculum
The British EYFS curriculum for ages 45 days to 4 years
What is the EYFS?
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the statutory framework established by the UK Department for Education for children from birth to five years. It provides guidance on children’s learning, development, and care, ensuring they receive the support and opportunities they need to thrive during their early years.
At Red Roses British Nursery, we believe that young children learn best through play, meaningful relationships, hands-on experiences, and exploring the world around them. Our daily activities are thoughtfully planned to make learning enjoyable and purposeful, from storytelling and conversations to construction, creative activities, and imaginative play.
The EYFS framework is organised into seven areas of learning and development: three Prime Areas, which establish the essential foundations for future learning, and four Specific Areas, which build upon these foundations and broaden children’s knowledge, skills, and understanding. Together, they support each child’s holistic development and prepare them for the next stage of their educational journey.
The seven areas of learning
The three prime areas
Area 1
Communication and language
Listening, understanding and speaking. For infants this begins with eye contact and babbling; by FS1 it means following a story and retelling what happened.
At Red Roses
Daily stories, action songs, and teachers who talk with children at their level throughout the day.
Area 2
Physical development
Large movements such as crawling, running and balancing, and fine movements such as pinching, pouring and holding a crayon.
At Red Roses
The ball pit, seesaws and ride-on toys in the outdoor play area, with playdough, threading and sand trays indoors.
Area 3
Personal, social and emotional development
Feeling safe, making friends, taking turns, managing feelings and becoming independent.
At Red Roses
A gentle settling-in period, a familiar key adult, and everyday chances to help with tidying and snack time.
The four specific areas
Area 4
Literacy
Enjoying books, hearing the sounds in words, and early mark-making that develops into writing.
At Red Roses
A reading corner beneath a wall of English and Arabic letter blocks, and phonics through games in FS1.
Area 5
Mathematics
Counting, comparing, recognising shapes and patterns, and understanding more and less.
At Red Roses
Counting songs, sorting toy animals, stacking blocks and measuring during sand and water play.
Area 6
Understanding the world
People, places, nature and how things work, starting with the child's own family and community.
At Red Roses
Exploring the outdoor play area, talking about the weather and seasons, and learning about the festivals our families celebrate.
Area 7
Expressive arts and design
Making things, music, movement, role play and imaginative play.
At Red Roses
Painting, model-making, dressing up, the toy playhouse and plenty of singing.
How children learn
Characteristics of effective learning
The EYFS looks at how a child learns as well as what they learn. At this age, these habits matter more than any single fact.
- 1Playing and exploringChildren investigate, try things out and are willing to have a go.
- 2Active learningThey keep trying when things are difficult and enjoy their achievements.
- 3Creating and thinking criticallyThey have their own ideas, make connections and find new ways to do things.
Explained
EYFS, FS1 and FS2
UAE school year names and English nursery terms do not always match. These are the questions parents ask most.
Age groups and admissionsWhat is the EYFS?
The Early Years Foundation Stage is the statutory framework set by the UK Department for Education for children from birth to five. It is followed by nurseries and reception classes in England, and by British-curriculum nurseries in the UAE.
What is FS1, and how is it different from FS2?
FS1 (Foundation Stage 1) is for children aged 3 to 4 and matches the Nursery year in England. FS2 is the following year, for ages 4 to 5, and matches Reception. FS2 is usually taught in a primary school, so FS1 is the final year children spend with us.
When do children start learning to read and write?
Play is how young children learn, but it is carefully planned. Early literacy begins with stories, rhymes and listening for sounds. In FS1 children start phonics through games, and mark-making gradually becomes letters. Formal reading and writing continue in FS2 and Year 1.