EYFS Practice at JLK

Learning purpose: Staff should understand the Prime and Specific Areas of Learning and how they support children's development.

JLK practice standard: At JLK, the EYFS is not paperwork. It is the framework we use to understand children, plan meaningful experiences and support progress.

Key staff expectations:

• Know the Prime and Specific Areas.
• Understand that Prime Areas are especially important for younger children.
• Notice development during everyday play.
• Support children's next steps through daily routines and interactions.
• Ask for guidance if unsure about development.

Practical scenario: A two-year-old begins using more words during snack time. This links to Communication and Language, Personal, Social and Emotional Development, and the key person's planning for next steps.

• I can name the 3 Prime Areas and the 4 Specific Areas of Learning
• I understand the Prime Areas are especially important for younger children
• I notice EYFS development during everyday play, not just planned activities

Learning purpose: Staff should understand how observations lead to assessment and then purposeful planning.

JLK practice standard: Observations must help us understand the child. They should not just describe what happened; they must show what it means and what we do next.

Key staff expectations:

• Complete required observations on time.
• Include what the child did and what it shows.
• Link observations to next steps.
• Use weekly plans and key child adaptations.
• Raise concerns early.

Practical scenario: A child repeatedly lines up cars and becomes upset if another child moves them. Staff observe carefully, consider schemas, communication and regulation, then plan support for turn-taking and flexible play.

• My observations describe what the child did AND what it shows me
• I link each observation to a next step or planning adaptation
• I raise developmental concerns early — I don't wait and see

Learning purpose: Staff should understand how relationships and environments help children feel safe, confident and ready to learn.

JLK practice standard: The key person must know their children well. They support emotional security, parent partnership, observations, next steps and settling.

Key staff expectations:

• Build secure relationships with key children.
• Know children's routines, interests and needs.
• Adapt the environment to support development.
• Communicate professionally with parents.
• Support transitions calmly.

Practical scenario: A new child is unsettled at drop-off. The key person uses the settling plan, offers a familiar comfort object, keeps the routine predictable and updates the parent appropriately.

• I know my key children's routines, interests and needs well
• I adapt the environment to support development, not just decorate it
• I support transitions calmly and communicate professionally with parents