EYFS

Green Roots follows the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (EYFS), which provides the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care from birth to five. The emphasis of EYFS is that children learn through interaction with people and exploring the world around them.

Each child is assigned their own Key Person, helping to ensure care is tailored to meet the child’s individual needs. EYFS identifies the individuality, efforts and achievements of children and recognises that learning and development take place during all activities. This framework gives children the support to enable them to fulfil their full potential.

Our curriculum is also informed by Development Matters, the non-statutory guidance that supports practitioners in understanding children’s development and planning appropriate learning experiences.

Green Roots curriculum

The Early Years Foundation Stage covers seven areas of learning and development. At Green Roots, our curriculum combines these areas with children’s individual interests, experiences and stages of development, helping every child build confidence, independence and a lifelong love of learning.

Communication and language

We support children to develop their speaking, listening and understanding through stories, conversations, songs, role play and everyday interactions. Children are introduced to new vocabulary and encouraged to express their ideas and feelings with confidence.

Physical development

Children have regular opportunities to develop movement, coordination and physical confidence through indoor and outdoor play. Activities support both gross and fine motor skills while encouraging children to take appropriate risks and explore their capabilities.

Personal, social and emotional development

We help children build positive relationships, develop independence and understand their emotions. Through everyday routines and experiences, children learn to make choices, solve problems, develop resilience and grow in confidence.

Literacy

Books, stories, mark-making and written language are part of everyday nursery life. Children are encouraged to enjoy stories, recognise that print carries meaning and develop the early literacy skills that prepare them for school.

Mathematics

Mathematical learning is woven into everyday play through counting, patterns, shapes, measures and problem-solving. Children explore mathematical ideas naturally through activities, routines and the environment around them.

Understanding the world

Children explore people, places, nature, communities and the wider world through play, experiences, seasonal activities, visitors, workshops and trips. We encourage curiosity and give children opportunities to discover how things work.

Expressive arts and design

Children are encouraged to express themselves through art, music, movement, imaginative play and a wide range of creative materials. We provide opportunities to experiment, make choices and develop their own ideas.

Freedom

We want children to be free to make their own choices, free to move around our play areas, gardens and outdoor areas, and be free to play, talk, run, observe, experiment, taste, test, respond, reflect, learn, create, explore, repeat, question, plan, engage, develop…

The four overarching principles of EYFS are that every child is unique, can learn to form positive relationships, can develop in enabling environments, and can learn in different ways, at different rates.

The EYFS approach, paired with the Green Roots ethos creates a wonderful environment for your child to learn and thrive in. We are committed to maintaining excellent childcare in a supportive and nurturing environment.

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Individual records

We recognise the importance of understanding each child’s individual needs and development. Through regular observation and assessment, each child’s Key Person builds a clear picture of their progress, interests and next steps in learning.

When a child is around two years old, we complete the EYFS progress check at age two. This provides parents and carers with a short written summary of their child’s development and helps identify strengths as well as any areas where additional support may be helpful. Where appropriate, we work in partnership with families and other professionals to ensure every child receives the support they need.

You can find out more in the government guidance on the progress check at age two.

We use Famly to record, plan and share each child’s learning journey. Parents and carers have secure access to the app at any time, where they can view updates, photographs, assessments and other information about their child. Famly is also used for messages, invoices, accident forms and nursery notices. Our team responds to messages during nursery working hours.

“Every day brings something new and educational — our child absolutely loves it.”
Parent Survey 2025