Structuring Your Child's Journey With Early Years
Understanding where your child is on their journey is important. At Snowflakes Day Nursery, we use the government’s Early Years Framework (EYFS) to map your child’s progress while celebrating their individual pace.
Home > Our Philosophy > EYFS Education
The Seven Areas Of Learning
The EYFS organises children’s development into seven areas. Three are considered prime areas, the foundations that support all other learning:
The Prime Areas
Communication & Language
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework ensures your child develops every one of these capabilities systematically. At Snowflakes, our years of experience has taught us how to make this government framework feel like natural checkpoints rather than checklists.
Physical Development
Covers both gross motor skills large movements, such as running and climbing, and fine motor skills, such as holding a pencil or using cutlery. Our daily outdoor play and hands-on Montessori activities support both.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Based on understanding feelings, building friendships, and developing self-confidence. With our smaller groups and nurturing environment, children form secure attachments and learn to navigate relationships.
The Prime areas are foundational; they represent the essential skills, like social interaction and physical coordination, that children need to engage with the world. The Specific areas are the knowledge and cultural capital that children build using those foundational skills.
Specific Areas
Literacy
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework ensures your child develops every one of these capabilities systematically. At Snowflakes, our years of experience has taught us how to make this government framework feel like natural checkpoints rather than checklists.
Mathematics
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework ensures your child develops every one of these capabilities systematically. At Snowflakes, our years of experience has taught us how to make this government framework feel like natural checkpoints rather than checklists.
Understanding The World
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework ensures your child develops every one of these capabilities systematically. At Snowflakes, our years of experience has taught us how to make this government framework feel like natural checkpoints rather than checklists.
Expressive Arts and Design
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework ensures your child develops every one of these capabilities systematically. At Snowflakes, our years of experience has taught us how to make this government framework feel like natural checkpoints rather than checklists.
Understanding EYFS Development Goals and Age Bands
Within your child's first two weeks, we complete a comprehensive assessment. This gives us a baseline understanding of where they're starting and helps us plan appropriate next steps.
Throughout their time with us, your key person observes your child weekly. These aren't formal tests—they're natural observations during play and activities. We document what we see through photos, videos, and notes.
The Official EYFS Age Bands
The EYFS provides age bands that help us understand typical development:
Birth to 11 months
8 to 20 months
16 to 26 months
22 to 36 months
30 to 50 months
40 to 60+ months
During his period at the nursery, I noted a significant development in his speech, coordination, listening and numeracy skills. Such progress/improvement is mainly a function of the teaching staff at the nursery, their presence and dedication in supporting the children.
Review From Comer Crescent
Grandfather at Snowflakes Comer Crescent
Why We Focus on Stage, Not Age
Children develop at different rates, which is why these age ranges overlap. It is perfectly normal for a child to be progressing faster in one area of learning while taking more time to develop in another.
This is exactly why we do not base our next steps on age, but on individual observations.
At Snowflakes, our rooms are set up to work with this non-linear development. You can read more about our Montessori mixed-age setting on our page that covers our Montessori practices.
School Readiness: Ready for Reception
Primary schools assess children against EYFS Early Learning Goals when they start Reception. Our EYFS approach means your child arrives at school:
Academically prepared: Understanding phonics, recognising numbers, writing their name
Socially confident: Making friends, sharing, taking turns, resolving conflicts
Emotionally regulated: Managing separation, expressing needs, showing resilience
Physically capable: Dressing independently, using tools correctly, understanding health
Creatively expressive: Confident in art, music, and imaginative play
Reception teachers consistently report that our graduates don't just meet these goals - they exceed them, arriving as confident, capable learners ready for the next stage. Learn more about our child-led Montessori activities.
Some words from parents
We've seen such amazing progress in her development, and it's clear she's both happy and thriving. The facilities are excellent, and what we appreciate most is how she's always encouraged to be herself in such a nurturing and supportive environment.
Norwood Green Review
Review On Google
My 2-year-old only attended for a few months but made huge progress. I could see the difference in his confidence and social skills. I am very grateful to the Lilac Room team for all their support. Even the office and management staff are very attentive and professional. Thank you Snowflakes.
Grand Union Village Review
Review on Daynurseries
Your Next Steps: Nothing Missed, Everything Documented
After 22 years of implementing EYFS across four locations, we've refined our approach to ensure every child receives comprehensive development support. The framework gives you confidence that while your child experiences joyful daily activities, we're systematically ensuring they develop every capability needed for school success and beyond.
During your visit, you'll observe:
The calm, purposeful atmosphere of our work cycle
Children choosing challenging work independently
Our teachers guide without interfering
The joy of mastery on young faces
Ready to see how EYFS ensures your child's complete development? Book your visit to observe how we make our systematic framework look like natural, joyful learning in action.
This is a core part of Our Approach, where we blend the comprehensive structure of the EYFS with the freedom of Montessori activities.
Common Questions About EYFS
Is EYFS too structured for young children?
The framework provides structure for us, not restrictions for your child. They experience engaging activities and purposeful play - we're the ones ensuring those activities systematically develop all seven areas.
How does EYFS work with Montessori?
Montessori provides the materials and methods; EYFS ensures comprehensive coverage. When your child works with the pink tower (Montessori), they're developing spatial awareness and mathematical thinking (EYFS Mathematics) plus fine motor skills (EYFS Physical Development).
Will my child be tested constantly?
Assessment happens through observation during normal activities. Your child pouring water at the water table doesn't know we're assessing hand-eye coordination and understanding of volume - they're just enjoying water play with purpose.
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more information
Northolt (Grand Union Village):
8 Higham Mews
NORTHOLT,
UB5 6FP
Phone:
02088458998
Regulatory Authority ID:
EY394004
Date Registered by
Regulatory Authority:
10 Sep 2009
Southall (off Lady Margaret Road):
100 Carlyle Avenue,
SOUTHALL,
UB1 2BL
Phone:
02085716378
Regulatory Authority ID:
EY393991
Date Registered by
Regulatory Authority:
02 Dec 2009
Hanwell (Comer Crescent off Windmill Ave):
Comer Crescent,
SOUTHALL,
UB2 4XD
Phone:
02085716867
Regulatory Authority ID:
EY497465
Date Registered by
Regulatory Authority:
27 Sep 2016
St Mary's Church Hall,
Norwood Green Road,
SOUTHALL,
UB2 4LA
Phone:
02085073222
Regulatory Authority ID:
EY561899
Date Registered by
Regulatory Authority:
07 Aug 2018