The Early Years Learning Framework

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the statutory framework that all early years childcare providers must follow. ‘The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together: Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage (2000), the Birth to Three Matters (2002) framework and the National Standards for Under 8s Daycare and Childminding (2003)’ (Children and Young people’s Workforce information sheet, The Early Years Foundation Stage, level 3 Diploma 2011)

Early childhood education curriculums are becoming a national curriculum in most countries. With more governments and society thinking about education of under-fives we are seeing shifts in thinking and education to meet the changing world. We are developing children skills for the future to create a society where children feel they belong and can contribute to society. Curriculums are being influenced my social, political, cultural, historical and theoretical issues that are impacting different curriculums in the world. I am going to explore and develop my understanding about three different curriculums to recognise the different influences affecting curriculums. I am going to explore the curriculums of Te Whāriki: New Zealand, Belonging, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia and Curriculum for Excellence: Scotland. This will allow me to develop an understanding of other curriculums which I have not heard about to discover other way to education that I have not been taught in teacher’s college.

Every child who on the term commencing after their 3rd Birthday is entitled to a free part time place in early years education. This was formed as part of the Every Child Matters agenda. From 0-5 years the framework of learning, development & care forms the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which follows the following principles:

It is agreed that educator’s philosophy, pedagogical practices and believe about topics such as gender and sexuality, socio-cultural factors and cultural diversity will influence how the Australian Curriculum and Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) is reflected in the classroom. For example, cultural competence which is one of the eight main practices that EYLF focuses on to support children’s learning.

The Educators Guide to the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia has identified key concepts and principles which require educators to use particular understandings and practices effectively to achieve the desire outcome ‘ The Journey for Educators: Growing competence in working with Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures (Commonwealth of Australia, 2010, Page 24) focuses on guiding educators

Children’s cultural background is one of the most important aspects to developing a child’s sense of identity, and a child having a strong sense of identity is one of the key outcomes to the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). By understanding the diversity of all the children within a service, educators often have to adapt their practices to benefit everyone. It is an important part of respecting children’s culture, to consult and maintain contact with the family to ensure you understand any differences their culture may have when it comes to caring for and teaching their child. By incorporating various techniques, foods and activities, educators can attempt to ensure that they are including a child’s culture within the service. When people

I have had previous educational programming experience for over ten years. Depending on the childcare service, the programs have varied which enabled them to service the children, families and communities. With the programs, I have concentrated on the documentation that supports the quality outcomes. I have utilised the principles and practices from frameworks such as the Early Years Learning Frameworks (EYLF), to implement and plan the program. When I undertake the programs, the key issues are capturing children’s voices and ideas in planning documentation and evaluation. Gathering and analysing information about children such as their knowledge, abilities and understanding is part of the ongoing cycle in planning documentation and evaluating

Australia believes in a holistic approach and that children learn through play and that learning is ongoing. Australia’s framework says that children belong to a community and should feel that they belong and have a purpose. Australia’s educators’ professional judgements are important in children’s learning. They use their professional knowledge and skills, knowledge of children, families and communities, awareness of how their beliefs and values impact children’s learning and personal styles and past experiences. Australia feels children learn best this way. The elements of the framework are Principles, Practice and Learning outcome. They have five principles which are: 1.Secure, respectful and reciprocal relationships, 2.Partnerships, 3.High expectations and equity, 4.Respect for diversity, 5.Ongoing learning and reflective practice. These principles help educators teach children and for children to grow as people. The principles are based on looking at the child as a whole and focusing on their needs and development. Australia views children as competent. Children are able and a part of society. Educators draw on a rich repertoire of pedagogical practices to promote children’s learning by: Being responsive to children, Creating environments that have a positive impact on children’s learning, Valuing the cultural and social contexts of children and their families, Providing for

Critically examine the key ideas associated with early years education in Reggio Emilia. What might be learned from such practices?

Early years setting defines the role of parents, carers, teacher, education providers and Government to work within the framework to support an integrated approach to provide the best possible care for children in the United Kingdom. It also provides professionals who work with children to set a common policy and commitments to deliver the best quality of early year education and childcare experience to all involved. It is important that early childhood practitioners understand that individual child develops at a different level in accordance with their surrounding environment. Policies and procedures become a tool to support practitioners to understand in detail any child’s development throughout their early year stages (Goulet, M. & Shroeder,

This is reiterated by the fact that under 30% of Australian children participated in the preschool sector in 2008, as well as educators low pay rates, lack of funding to the sector and the constant barrage of academic articles consistently reaffirming early childhood education’s worth (Albon, 2011; Keeley, 2007; Zajda, Davies & Majhanovich 2008). In spite of consistent beliefs that the EYLF (DEEWR, 2009) learning outcomes and Australian Curriculum general capabilities (ACARA, 2014) complement one another, the emphasis on meeting and recognising children’s individual and diverse learning needs have become neglected in exchange for the popularity of standardised testing (NAPLAN) (ACARA, 2014; Connor, 2011; Klenowski & Wyatt-Smith, 2011; Reid, 2009). Consequently, the Australian Curriculum (ACARA, 2014) has mirrored British education models by placing utmost importance on assessing the ‘essential twenty-first century skills’ of literacy and numeracy, ultimately, adopting a ‘social efficiency’ approach with its focus on producing ‘socially ideal’ ‘active and informed’ members of society as opposed to promoting the personal growth of individual citizens (ACARA, 2014; Klenowski & Wyatt-Smith, 2011; Lingard, 2010; MCEETYA, 2008; Reid, 2009; Schiro 2013).

Jimmy is a child who is sitting by the window looking out into the playground watching the other children play. If only Jimmy had the social and emotional skills to go outside and explore the playground. Early childhood is a time where children want to express themselves and explore their world independently. It is, therefore, imperative that early childhood settings foster autonomy and develop age-appropriate social and emotional skills. This increasing independence must be fostered for children to grow, develop and become allowing them to function independently (autonomy). This is emphasised strongly through both the National Quality Standard and Early Years Learning Framework. This sense of autonomy can only be fostered if early childhood centres develop age-appropriate social and emotional skills (Department of Health and Ageing, 2010). When early childhood centres foster these social and emotional skills children develop a strong self – esteem, confidence and the ability to socially participate in their (agency). Ultimately leading to a strong sense of identity and wellbeing. The National Quality Standard and the Early Years Learning Framework highlight children’s emotional and social development as critical parts and are highlighted in both.

Think about your early childhood education (or your child’s early education), was it flexible to suit individual learning experiences or were children required to conform to the teacher’s methods of teaching? If you answered the latter, do you think the former would improve the quality of education? The initial years of education are crucial to learning, development and growth, during these first years children’s experiences shape their learning methods and they are able to learn rapidly, for this, early childhood educators must use teaching methods that are suitable for each child. Teachers must consider the attitude they bring to the classroom; how it affects children’s learning and the value, of the information and knowledge that

Children’s early years are crucial and learning is very effective when children begin at the young age (Whitehead, 2008). The below report explains the importance of understanding and implementing the practices and principles of the National Quality Standards [NQS] and Early Years Learning Framework [EYLF] of early childhood education. The report also demonstrates the complexities, strengths and challenges that influence the profession. It also illustrates the issues and solutions regard educator-child ratio, funding, quality standards, gender imbalance and modifying agenda to improve children’s development. The main aim of this report is to identify and analyse the key policies, trends and movements that influence the profession. The report

Human development is an essential aspect in early childhood education. This essay is going to discuss the theories of three human development theorists, Urie Bronfenbrenner, John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth’s. Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems theory is concerned with family, cultural and social influences and all the other environmental elements. Bowlby’s Attachment theory and Stages of attachment and Ainsworth’s “Strange Situation” research which breaks down attachment into three types are related to the relationship between adults and children. These theories are all associated with socio-cultural theory, which is throughout the New Zealand early childhood curriculum Te whariki (Ministry of Education, 1996).