Schools and early years providers are required to follow a structure of learning, development and care for children from birth to five years old. This is called the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and it enables your child to learn through a range of activities. Your child’s development is closely monitored through constant observations both formal and informal. The underpinning philosophy of the Early Years Foundation Stage is that each child is an individual and will develop at an individual pace. When parents choose a nursery, they want and need to know that their child is safe, taken care of and being helped to thrive. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the framework that provides this assurance.