Learning & care
How children learn
How the Early Years Foundation Stage shapes rich, age-appropriate learning at Squirrels.
Young children learn by doing: exploring, talking, moving, imagining and building relationships. We use the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to shape an environment in which purposeful play and warm adult support work together.
The characteristics of effective learning
We encourage children to have a go, keep trying, develop their own ideas and make connections. Practitioners notice when to join a child’s play, when to introduce a new word or possibility, and when to stand back and let discovery unfold.
Seven connected areas of learning
- Communication and language
- Personal, social and emotional development
- Physical development
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the world
- Expressive arts and design
Learning through everyday experiences
Stories, songs, conversation, outdoor discovery, creative work, construction and imaginative play all offer opportunities to practise new skills. Activities are adapted to children’s ages, interests and next steps so learning remains meaningful and enjoyable.