The four THEMES of the EYFS are:

1. A Unique Child
2. Positive Relationships
3. Enabling Environments
4. Learning and Development

These four themes express important PRINCIPLES underpinning effective practice in the care, development and learning of young children.

1. Every child is a competent learner from birth who can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.
2. Children learn to be strong and independent from a base of loving and secure relationships with parents and/or a key person.
3. The environment plays a key role in supporting and expending children's development and learning.
4. Children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates and all areas of Learning and Development are equally important and inter-connected.

Each PRINCIPLE is supported by four COMMITMENTS which describe how the Principle can be put into practice.

1.1 Child Development
1.2 Inclusive Partnership
1.3 Keeping Safe
1.4 Health and Well-being

2.1 Respecting each other
2.2 Parents as Partners
2.3 Supporting Learning
2.4 Key Person

3.1 Observation, Assessment and Planning
3.2 Supporting Every Child
3.3 The Learning Environment
3.4 The Wider Context

4.1 Play and Exploration
4.2 Active Learning
4.3 Creativity and Critical Thinking
4.4 Areas of Learning and Development

The EYFS CD-ROM contains all of the written documents in the pack that is available plus in-depth information on the EYFS.  Copies of the publication are available from:

DCFS Publications
P O Box 5050, Sherwood Park, Annesley, Notingham, NG15 0DJ.

Tel: 0845 60 222 60
Email: dcsf@prolog.uk.com
Please quote ref: 00266-2008BKT-EN