Page 4 - eBook

The Early Years
Foundation Stage Curriculum

One of the most commonly asked questions is
whether the forest school system is in line with the early
year’s foundation stage curriculum. So, let’s quickly take
a look at what the latter is and the various skills and
areas of learning that must be assessed.

First, the early years foundation stage (EYFS) is the
phase of education which is assessed between a child’s
second and fifth year. Once your child is five years old,
a teacher assesses them based on classroom observa-
tion, so the child is not tested formally.

The EYFS is based on the following areas of learning:
Communication and Language
Physical Development
Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Literacy
Mathematics
Understanding the World
Expressive Arts and Design
As such, any kind of teaching must address and work
on each of these to the same extent that a non-forest
school education would. However, with forest school-
ing, your child is learning many more hands-on skills
while also being able to apply their learning onto real-life
events. Forest schooling is offered in a growing number
of schools in an effort to break the typical indoor teach-
ing style which is taking away a lot of fun times outside
that kids could greatly benefit from.

What Is a Forest School?

Forest school offers a holistic approach to education
that utilizes the natural environment as a source of
learning. This means that the philosophy that underlies
what is taught within the program is environmental sus-
tainability and holistic education.

The core philosophy of forest school is based on

nature-based education. This is what is featured in most
the curriculum provided by a forest school, although

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