Early Years
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) focuses on the learning, development and well-being of children aged 0-5, with all Early Years providers required to follow the EYFS curriculum. Early Years children learn through play based experiences supporting learning in all areas of the curriculum in both indoor and outdoor environments. Halton Virtual School supports children in care through collaborative working to ensure every child is supported to achieve their full potential and overcome barriers.
Personal Education Plans (PEPs)
It is statutory for all children looked after by Halton Borough Council, the term after they turn 3 to have an Early Years PEP recorded on Welfare Call. Where it has been agreed that a child does not take-up their full entitlement to free early education, the PEP must record the reasons for this and next date that this decision will be reviewed.
From Autumn term 2024 a PEP will also be completed, where needed, for 2 year old children who are looked after, the term after they turn 2 (please note this is not statutory). This PEP will be supported through care planning/PEP meetings. Through completion of the 2 year old PEPs, this further supports the importance of professionals and families working together to champion early intervention, by providing effective early support to children and young people who are deemed at risk of poor outcomes. Benefits of early identification are; academic achievement, improved well-being, better educational progression, and higher attainment in the future.
Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) and Pupil Premium Plus (PP+)
The Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) is additional funding for Early Years settings to improve the education they provide for disadvantaged 3 and 4 year olds. Children aged 3 and 4 years who are looked after by Halton Borough Council and who receive free early education will attract EYPP funding, even if they do not take-up the full free early education entitlement. This funding is paid directly to the setting the child is attending by the relevant local authority. Children looked after by Halton Borough Council who attend school Reception Year will attract the Looked After Children Pupil Premium Plus paid to school age children.
Through the PEPs, Looked After Children Pupil Premium is allocated to provisions in accordance with Halton Borough Council’s PP+ strategy (attached below).
The Early Years Curriculum
The EYFS Curriculum is divided into 7 areas of learning. There are then 17 Early Learning Goals (ELG'S) which children work towards by the end of Reception:
Prime areas - These areas are fundamental and support overall development and well-being.
1. Communication and Language (ELG's - Listening, Attention and Understanding)
2. Personal, Social and Emotional Development (ELG's - Self-regulation, Managing self, Building relationships)
3. Physical Development (ELG's - Gross Motor Skills, Fine Motor Skills)
Specific areas - These areas include essential skills and knowledge.
4. Literacy (ELG's - Comprehension, Word reading, Writing)
5. Mathematics (ELG's - Number, Numerical patterns)
6. Understanding the World (ELG's - Past and present, People, Culture and Communities, The Natural World)
7. Expressive Arts and Design (ELG's - Creating with Materials, Being Imaginative and Expressive)
At the end of Reception, information will be shared about whether or not a child has achieved a 'good level of development' (GLD).
Characteristics of Effective Learning
These refer to children behaviours and attitides towards learning, and consider how they learn and develop:
Playing and Exploring - Children investigate and experience things and 'have a go'.
Active Learning - Children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties and enjoy achievements.
Creating and Thinking Critically - Children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas and develop strategies for doing things.
Halton Early Years Support
These services offer additional support, advice and training:
Halton Health Improvement Team
Halton Play Children's Charity
If you have any queries regarding Early Years children in care, please don't hesitate to get in touch - virtual.school@halton.gov.uk