The Early Year's Foundation Stages refers to the set of standards for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years old under the English National Curriculum. All UK schools follow the EYFS. The EYFS framework supports an integrated approach to early learning and care. It gives all professionals a set of common principles and commitments to deliver quality education.
The Early Learning Standards are a set of model guidelines describing fundamental competencies and specific knowledge that provide coherent foundations for later learning in kindergarten and beyond in the USA. The ELS address physical, social and linguistic, and cognitive aspects of development. These standards provide teachers and parents with a common understanding of what is developmentally appropriate to expect of children.
The Reggio Emilia Approach is an innovative and inspiring approach to early childhood education which values the child as strong, capable and resilient. The Reggio Emilia Approach is based on the following fundamental principles:
Social and Emotional Development focuses on activities for children that encourage them to develop self-confidence and self-awareness, manage their feelings and behavior and form deep relationships with their teachers and peers.
The foundation for Literacy begins with oral language. We provide language oriented activities to build strong grounds for language acquisition. As the children develop their language skills, they will be introduced to activities that will further develop their early literacy skills (reading and writing).
The environment, daily routines and everyday activities allow children to begin developing mathematical awareness at an early age. Our programs and environment enable children to explore and discuss shapes, size, weight, capacity, position, distance, time and money, as well as, count, compare, relate, identify patterns and problem solve.
Our school is fully equipped with resources that allow children to run, skip, jump, climb, balance, and throw, catch, hit and kick a ball (gross motor skills). Children develop their fine motor skills through activities such as: using utensils, writing, drawing, coloring, painting, building with blocks and manipulating clay. Children are reminded of healthy habits and keeping fit.
Our programs strongly emphasize the importance of creativity and the imagination. The environment encourages children to explore and experiment with music and dance and a variety of art materials ranging in media, color, design, and texture. In all areas of learning, children are encouraged to think in original ways helping to develop their problem solving and critical thinking skills.
Our curriculum highlights and acknowledges the importance of diversity. In all areas of learning, children are encouraged to relate their experience at school to their knowledge and understanding of their culture in regards to language, religion, traditions, food, etc. Children are taught ti acknowledge, recognize and respect difference.