The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum is the government created curriculum for all early years’ settings and schools in the United Kingdom. It covers children’s development and learning from birth until 5 years of age.
The UK was, and continues to be, one of the leading nations globally in terms of early years’ research, training and expertise. The most recent version of the document was launched in April 2017, making it the cutting-edge standard in the international education community for early years.
Here we answer some of the most frequently asked questions we are asked about the EYFS.
Is the Pingu’s English International Kindergarten (PEIK) curriculum based solely on the EYFS?
The Pingu’s English international kindergarten curriculum was created in partnership with Kingston University, the UK’s leading university in the training of early years’ practitioners. Kingston’s expertise and experience with the EYFS has shaped and influenced the Pingu’s English international kindergarten curriculum significantly, strengthened by the international relevance of some of the guiding principles of the UK curriculum.
The Early Years Foundation Stage identifies prime areas of learning and development for children, which have inspired the six skill categories of our International Kindergaten curriculum.
However, in order to create a truly international model, the Linguaphone Group and Kingston conducted extensive research into other international pedagogies, understanding the elements which were globally applicable. As a result, the Pingu’s English international curriculum builds on the strongest elements of a range of international curricula including the EYFS, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Swedish Forest Schools, Singapore’s Nurturing Early Learners, and many more.
What is an international kindergarten?
A number of kindergarten curricula make the claim of being “international” but few truly are. An international curriculum is globally recognized as providing educational approaches and outcomes which are truly exceptional when measured against the highest standards in the global education community. Children attending an international kindergarten will be given the best start in life and will be able to take advantages of any opportunities they aspire to. For this reason, instruction in English needs to be a central focus, as it is the global language of communication and success. When considering if an approach can justifiably be classed as “international”, it is important to consider all these factors. Here at Pingu’s English we are proud to say that our curriculum delivers, and in fact exceeds, expectations in all these areas.
What is the role of Phonics in the EYFS?
Synthetic Phonics is now the recognized and established system of developing reading skills in young children in many countries, including the UK, Australia, Germany and many others. Therefore, the EYFS specifically references the inclusion of synthetic phonic teaching in both the prime curriculum area of ‘Communication and Language’ and the specific area of ‘Literacy’.
However, at Pingu’s English we wanted to ensure that our approach to teaching phonics, reading, spelling and writing in English was internationally applicable. So, we combined synthetic phonics approaches together with the analytical and episodic approaches favored in other parts of the world, to create our truly unique approach designed for non-native speakers called Pingu’s English Logical Phonics.
What is the role of Assessment in the EYFS?
Formal testing of young children is proven to be misleading and ineffective, therefore the EYFS guides practitioners to “observe children to understand their level of achievement, interests and learning styles, and then to shape learning experiences for each child reflecting these observations”.
Pingu’s English International Kindergarten program reviews children throughout the course in line with EYFS guidelines, using continuous observation tools and a range of formative and summative assessments, tracked against a very comprehensive suite of age-appropriate learning objectives.
Pingu’s English a three-year full time international kindergarten curriculum produced by the Linguaphone Group, global education leaders for over 110 years. For all queries about how Pingu’s English supports the Early Years Foundation Stage, and how you can bring Ping’s English to your school or country, please email info@pingusenglish.com
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