Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) & Physical Development
Overview
As leading sports and physical education specialists, Premier Active provides a range of high quality Early Years services to enhance your nurseries’ goals.
We can help you maximise your settings’ physical development opportunities by providing greater access to physical activity led by expert coaches. We will provide an exciting and inclusive environment to engage your children and create an enthusiasm for physical education from an early age, leaving the door wide open for their potential.
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Your Industry Expert for Early Years
We understand that a child’s development at the nursery level is critical for progression through childhood.
As market leaders, our bespoke programmes are developed to give each child the best possible start and are delivered by our qualified specialists who have experience in helping Early Years children reach their potential.
Our high-quality educational programmes provide positive, fun and active sessions, where children are supported to learn in a variety of ways and to understand the importance of health and physical activity.
At such a young age, we know that nursery children’s safety is crucial, which is why you should only choose the best quality coaches to reach your early learning goals.
Benefits of our EYFS Physical Development services
Industry Recognised
Implement a proven and industry recognised programme
Learn the Fundamentals
Expert coaching on key physical education learnings
Track Progress
Measure progress and learning levels
Positive Impact
Improved listening and communication
Increased Confidence
Children grow in confidence and ability
Personal Development
Social and emotional development
School Readiness
Prepares children for their next step
Cross Curricular
Understanding of literacy, colours, maths, and the world
Healthy choices
Promotes an active lifestyle from a young age
Learning Areas, Goals and Outcomes
Here at Premier Active, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guidance, including the National curriculum framework to ensure our physical education meets the highest standards of learning, development and care of young children.
We provide engaging activities to not only enhance their physical development but to create a real enthusiasm for physical education before the children start school. Our sessions also focus on generating positive experiences to improve their interpersonal skills and help them grow in confidence. We believe in physical education for all, which is why we cater to all abilities and concentrate on building aspirations for every child, no matter their age or development stage.
Prime areas of learning
The EYFS has seven areas of learning and development, they are:
- Communication and language – provide a secure environment that allows for open expression where children can develop their listening and speaking skills.
- Physical development – provide an engaging environment that encourages active play and movement, whilst helping children to understand the importance of an active lifestyle and healthy wellbeing.
- Personal, social and emotional development – work alongside children to develop strong social skills, including self-confidence and understanding of others.
- Literacy – introduce a range of words and sounds through speech, writing and reading.
- Mathematics – introduce shapes and spaces, develop their understanding of numbers and calculations.
- Understanding the world – create an explorative environment where children can try out and observe their surroundings, including wildlife and technology.
- Expressive arts and design – provide an open and expressive space where children can explore arts and crafts, music and interactive play.
Early years providers must include all seven prime areas of learning, which will require planning and structure to ensure a well-rounded early development.
Early learning goals of EYFS
The EYFS introduced early learning goals to complement the seven areas of learning and development, early years providers must observe a child’s progress across these areas in order to measure their development in line with what’s expected for their age.
For physical development, the EYFS objectives are that children show good control and co-ordination in both large and small movements. They learn to negotiate space, and how to move confidently and safely around others. They also learn to use equipment effectively, including basic tasks such as how to correctly hold a pencil for writing.
The objectives also consider children’s health and self-care: children will know the importance of good physical health and a healthy diet; helping them to engage in activities safely.
We believe that an introduction to physical education in the early years contributes to many aspects of the EYFS areas of learning, especially personal development, communication, understanding of the world and expressive arts.
Outcomes & Milestones for Early Years
The EYFS sets outcomes and milestones for early years’ providers to use during assessment and observation of childhood development.
Between ages 22 to 36 months, the physical development outcomes include running safely on whole-foot, kicking a large ball, squatting steadily to rest or play with an object on the ground and climbing confidently, including pulling themselves onto nursery play equipment.
From 30 months to 60+ months (the end of EYFS), the outcomes achieved enable children to move freely with confidence in a range of movements – including running, jumping, skipping and hopping, catching a large ball, running skilfully and negotiating space successfully. By the end of EYFS, the physical development milestones include experimenting with different ways of moving, jumping off an object safely and playing skilfully with other children.
To reach the full potential of the children in your care, there are countless benefits to working with the sports and physical education specialists at Premier Active, by the way in which we ensure that the EYFS outcomes and milestones are not only met but exceeded.
Frequently Asked Questions
The EYFS is now widely recognised as an important framework to guide childcare providers and practitioners through the early years, but we understand that outside of these environments the EYFS can seem intimidating. We’ve compiled some of the most frequently asked questions about the EYFS and physical development in early childhood to help aid your understanding.
What does EYFS mean?
EYFS stands for Early Years Foundation Stage, a framework introduced by the government to address and regulate the learning, development and welfare of all children from birth to the age of five.
What are the ages and stages of EYFS?
A key part of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework is the ongoing assessment of a child’s learning and development progression. From birth to the age of five, practitioners regularly assess the child’s progress in seven key areas of learning.
When a child turns two, practitioners (such as health visitors) review their progress in these areas and provide a written summary to parents. At the age of five, an ‘EYFS Profile’ is completed for each child, an updated assessment that gives a broad understanding of the child’s learning and development in accordance with the seven areas, and their readiness for Year 1.
When did EYFS start and why was it introduced?
The EYFS was first introduced in 2008 and later revised in 2012 with improvements to the system, it’s primary aims were to regulate the early years of childhood development and implement a curriculum for practitioners and childcare providers to follow.
All schools and Ofsted-registered early years providers must follow the EYFS, including childminders, preschools, nurseries and reception classes. The EYFS aims to give every child strong building blocks to continue their development throughout their childhood, including providing opportunities to bring them to their full potential.
How can outdoor activities and indoor play benefit EYFS?
Physical development is an important part of EYFS, it recognises that outdoor activities and indoor play can have a huge impact during the early years of childhood.
Within recent years, childhood obesity figures have continued to rise, meaning both practitioners and childcare providers have shifted their focus onto combatting childhood health early on. We believe in sparking a passion for physical movement during the early development years through fun and engaging activities so that children will continue to stay fit and active beyond the EYFS.
Exercise during the early years of childhood also supports brain development, helps develop social skills and healthy emotional wellbeing. Active play and movement during EYFS also contribute to stronger bones and muscle health. Here at Premier Active, we know the endless benefits of a fun and active childhood, which is why we focus on building confidence with physical activity in the early years so that children will continue to live well.
