Understanding the Early Years Foundation Stage

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets the standards for learning, development, and care for children from birth to 5 years old. At Mulberry Bush Mersea Day Nursery, we follow the EYFS framework to ensure every child receives a quality early education that supports their development and prepares them for future learning.

Our dedicated team of practitioners carefully plans activities and experiences that support the seven areas of learning and development outlined in the EYFS, while recognizing that each child is unique and develops at their own pace.

Child-Centered Approach

Following children's interests

Learning Journey

Documenting progress & achievements

The Seven Areas of Learning

Our curriculum is designed to support children in all areas of learning and development as specified in the EYFS framework.

Communication & Language

We support children to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves and to speak and listen in a range of situations. This includes:

Daily circle time discussions
Storytelling sessions
Role play opportunities
Songs and rhymes

Personal, Social & Emotional

We help children to develop a positive sense of themselves and others, form positive relationships, develop social skills, and learn how to manage their feelings. Activities include:

Group collaboration projects
Turn-taking games
Emotional literacy activities
Building resilience and independence

Physical Development

We provide opportunities for children to be active and develop their coordination, control, and movement, understanding the importance of physical activity and healthy choices. We focus on:

Fine motor skill activities
Gross motor development
Outdoor physical play
Health and self-care practices

Literacy

We encourage children to link sounds and letters and to begin to read and write. Children are given access to a wide range of reading materials to ignite their interest. Our approach includes:

Phonics activities
Mark-making opportunities
Story sacks and props
Print-rich environment

Mathematics

We provide children with opportunities to develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems, and describing shapes, spaces, and measures. Activities include:

Number games and songs
Shape and pattern exploration
Measuring and comparing
Problem-solving challenges

Understanding the World

We guide children to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology, and the environment. Our focus includes:

Nature exploration
Cultural awareness activities
Simple science experiments
Technology experiences

Expressive Arts & Design

We enable children to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials, and provide opportunities and encouragement for sharing their thoughts, ideas, and feelings through a variety of activities. This includes:

Art and craft experiences
Music and movement sessions
Imaginative play
Creative expression

Observation & Assessment

At Mulberry Bush Mersea Day Nursery, ongoing assessment is an integral part of our learning and development process. Our practitioners observe children to understand their level of achievement, interests, and learning styles, and then shape teaching and learning experiences for each child accordingly.

We use a variety of methods to document children's progress:

Learning Journals

Individual records of achievement

Photo Documentation

Visual evidence of learning

Parent Consultations

Regular progress meetings

Development Tracking

Monitoring key milestones

Working in Partnership with Parents

We recognize that parents are children's first and most enduring educators. When parents and practitioners work together, the results have a positive impact on children's development and learning.