Early Years Foundation Stage

Please see below the outline of the Early Years Foundation Statutory Framework (EYFS) for children up to the age of five and how it is incorporated into all Zip Zap classes.

Communication and language development involves giving children opportunities to experience a rich language environment; to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves; and to speak and listen in a range of situations.

Songs are an excellent introduction to language. The rhythm beats and sounds, which are used in Zip Zap classes, help children form words and help Little Zappers gain a broader range of language. Our team also encourage children to jump up, join in and answer questions, which builds confidence and self-expression over a period of time. There are also plenty of opportunities to get children used to sitting and listening, which all works towards their concentration and can be transferred transfers to a variety of tasks.

Physical development involves providing opportunities for young children to be active and interactive and to develop their co-ordination, control, and movement. Children must also be helped to understand the importance of physical activity, and to make healthy choices in relation to food.

Every class starts with a physical warm up which Little Zippers are encouraged to join in. This not only gets children used to participating in group activities, but also highlights how they are able to use different parts of their bodies in different ways. All of this contributes to a child’s developing coordination and spatial awareness. Zip Zap’s wide range of themes will encourage exploration of the way their bodies move, different sports and also different types of healthy foods.

Personal, social and emotional development involves helping children to develop a positive sense of themselves and others; to form positive relationships and develop respect for others; to develop social skills and learn how to manage their feelings; to understand appropriate behaviour in groups and to have confidence in their own abilities.

Zip Zap aims to build confidence and self-esteem in social situations. Our team strongly believe that if this is encouraged at a young age then it sets the perimeters for later in childhood. The younger children will learn appropriate group behaviours from the older children in the group and it gives them something to aspire to. The older children in the class will be the ‘positive role model’.

Literacy development involves encouraging children to link sounds and letters and to begin to read and write. Children must be given access to a wide range of reading materials (books, poems, and other written materials) to ignite their interest.

Song and music are excellent ways to either introduce words to younger children or for older children broaden their language and vocal expression. Many of the songs and traditional nursery rhymes Zip Zap use are found in many children’s books, which can be connected to the illustrations and books at home.

Mathematics involves providing children with opportunities to develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems and to describe shapes, spaces, and measures.

Almost every week at least one song will include numbers and counting. Often children will be given objects, which need to be counted. Our themes include Numbers and Shapes.

Understanding the world involves guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment.

Each Zip Zap class follows the same pattern and structure, which helps children understand and predict what is coming next. Not only do Zip Zap use music and songs from the UK, but the classes also incorporate songs and folk tales from around the world, giving children a basic understanding that different cultures and languages exist. Zip Zap themes include Cities, Countryside, Gardens, Transport, The Ocean and Around the World.

Expressive arts and design involves enabling children to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials, as well as providing opportunities and encouragement for sharing their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role-play, and design and technology.

Need we say more?!