The EYFS  ( Early Years Foundation Stage ) is organised into six areas of learning and development:

• Personal, social and emotional development

• Communication, language and literacy

• Problem solving, numeracy and reasoning

• Knowledge and understanding of the world

• Physical development

• Creative development

Early learning goals have been identified within the areas of learning and development. Children will be at different stages towards achieving these goals, depending on their age and stage of development. 

The Early Years Foundation Stage profile

The early years foundation stage profile describes each child's attainment and identifies their learning needs at the end of the early years foundation stage - for most children this will be at the end of reception year in primary school. The profile is based on a practitioner's ongoing observations and assessments in the six areas of learning and development.

Covers the years children spend from the beginning of nursery or pre-school to the end of reception class . This is recognised as a distinct stage of learning, when children learn best through active play which builds on their individual needs and interests . Children start by learning the sounds of letters and letter combinations before they progress to reading books.