What is the EYFS? The British early years curriculum explained
A plain-English guide to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) used by many UAE nurseries, and what it means for your child day to day.
If you have been looking at nurseries in the UAE, you have probably seen the letters EYFS. They stand for the Early Years Foundation Stage, the framework British nurseries and schools use for children from birth to five. Here is what it means in practice.
Learning through play
The EYFS starts from a simple idea: young children learn best by doing. So instead of worksheets, you will see children building towers, splashing at the water tray, singing, role-playing and exploring outdoors. Teachers plan these activities carefully so that every bit of play builds a skill.
The seven areas of learning
The EYFS is organised into seven areas. The first three are called the prime areas because everything else grows from them:
- Communication and language: listening, understanding and talking.
- Physical development: big movements like running and climbing, and small ones like holding a crayon.
- Personal, social and emotional development: making friends, sharing, managing feelings and growing confident.
The next four are the specific areas:
- Literacy: enjoying books, early phonics and mark-making.
- Mathematics: counting, shapes, patterns and comparing sizes.
- Understanding the world: people, places, nature and technology.
- Expressive arts and design: art, music, dance and imaginative play.
Every child is unique
Teachers watch each child closely, note what they enjoy and what they are ready for next, and plan around them. That is why two children in the same class might be doing slightly different activities.
Keeping parents involved
Parents are a child’s first teachers, so the EYFS encourages regular sharing between home and nursery. Expect updates on your child’s progress and ideas for things to try at home.
EYFS at Butterflies Nursery
At Butterflies we follow the EYFS through fortnightly themes, with English and Arabic every day. Babies in our Caterpillars class focus mostly on the prime areas, while our oldest Butterflies class works on phonics, early writing and numbers to get ready for FS1.
Want to see the EYFS in action? See our curriculum or book a visit to our nursery in Al Salma, Umm Al Quwain.
