Young Haymakers
Montessori Nursery School
“Enrichment beyond the classroom”
Call Us: 01435 812555
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Outstanding Education and care in your area
The Early Years Foundation Stage
Nurseries in England are required to follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which sets standards for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years old.
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Within the learning and development section of the EYFS there are seven areas of learning and development which we use to shape the educational programmes in our nurseries. Whilst all areas of learning and development are important and inter-connected, the framework splits the areas of learning into ‘Prime’ and ‘Specific’ areas.
​The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
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At Young Haymakers, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the statutory framework for all nurseries in England. It sets the standards for learning, development, and care from birth to five years old, ensuring every child receives the best possible start.
The EYFS identifies seven areas of learning and development, which shape our educational programmes:
Prime Areas – Communication & Language, Physical Development, Personal, Social & Emotional Development
Specific Areas – Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, Expressive Arts & Design
All areas are equally important and interconnected, with the prime areas laying strong foundations and the specific areas building on them to prepare children for school and beyond.
How We Enrich the EYFS at Young Haymakers
Montessori practice – Children explore with carefully chosen, high‑quality materials that encourage independence, concentration, and a love of learning.
Curiosity Approach accreditation – We celebrate awe and wonder through authentic, natural resources, creating environments that inspire creativity and imagination.
Reggio inspiration – Our dedicated atelier space and enquiry‑led projects give children the freedom to express ideas, collaborate, and shape their own learning journeys.
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Elements of Steiner/ Te Whariki /Froebal
Forest School ethos – Several woodland sites offer daily opportunities for exploration, resilience, and connection with nature.
By blending the EYFS with these internationally respected approaches, we create a nursery experience that is not only compliant with national standards but also deeply inspiring, sustainable, and child‑centred.
At Young Haymakers, we proudly embed Birth to Five Matters into our daily practice, celebrating its child‑centred values and using it as a guiding framework for learning and care.
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How We Promote and Celebrate Birth to Five Matters
Child at the centre – We recognise every child as unique, capable, and full of potential. Our planning and practice are tailored to individual needs, interests, and rhythms.
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Strong partnerships with families – We work closely with parents to ensure children’s voices, cultures, and experiences are valued and reflected in our provision.
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Holistic development – We nurture physical, emotional, social, and cognitive growth, ensuring children’s wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do.
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Play and enquiry – Inspired by curiosity and wonder, children learn through play, exploration, and meaningful projects that connect them to the natural world.
Inclusive practice – We celebrate diversity and ensure that every child feels a sense of belonging, respect, and representation.
Sustainability and community – Our orchard, allotment, and woodland experiences connect children to nature, reinforcing the framework’s emphasis on relationships with the wider world.
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In essence, Birth to Five Matters is not just a framework we follow — it is a philosophy we live. By combining its principles with our Montessori, Curiosity Approach, and Reggio inspiration, we create an environment where children’s voices are heard, their individuality is celebrated, and their journey from birth to five is filled with awe, wonder, and care.
The Characteristics of Effective Learning
Here’s a more concise, professional version of your text — keeping the warmth and clarity, but streamlined for parents or website use:
Characteristics of Effective Learning (CoEL)
Within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the Characteristics of Effective Learning highlight how children learn, rather than simply what they learn. They remind practitioners to reflect on each child’s unique learning style and to nurture it through practice and environment.
The three key characteristics are:
• Playing and exploring – investigating, experiencing, and ‘having a go’
• Active learning – concentrating, persisting, and celebrating achievements
• Creating and thinking critically – developing ideas, making connections, and finding strategies
By focusing on process over outcome, CoEL helps children form positive attitudes to learning that last a lifetime. With the right support and encouragement, children grow into creative, resilient, and adventurous learners. At Young Haymakers, our practitioners and environments are carefully designed to nurture these characteristics while respecting each child’s individuality, talents, and history.
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