Nursery Moksliukas

The EYFS Framework

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets the standards for learning, development, and care for children from birth to five years in the UK. Our curriculum is built around the four key principles of the EYFS:

A Unique Child

We recognise that every child is unique and should be treated with equal care and respect. At our nursery, we are committed to helping each child reach their full potential by meeting their individual physical and emotional needs throughout their time with us.

Positive Relationships

We focus on helping children understand and manage their feelings while building strong, positive relationships. Each child is assigned a dedicated key carer who supports their emotional development and forms a close, trusting bond. We work with children in a nurturing environment where they feel heard, valued, and supported.

Enabling Environments

We provide safe, stimulating, and engaging indoor and outdoor environments that support learning and exploration. Our carers observe and plan for each child’s progress, working in partnership with parents and the local community to enhance every child’s learning journey. We also support children during transitions, helping them feel confident and well-prepared for their next steps.

Learning and Development

Children learn best through play and hands-on exploration. We tailor our approach to suit each child’s individual needs, encouraging them to take an active role in their learning, use their imagination, and make their own decisions. Our balanced curriculum promotes both creative and critical thinking, with a blend of child-initiated and adult-guided activities.

The EYFS framework was updated in 2021, and further refined in January 2024. It explains how and what your child will be learning to give them a firm foundation for a successful start at school. Your child will be developing skills, acquiring knowledge and demonstrating their understanding through seven Areas of Learning and Development.

Of these, children usually develop the 3 Prime Areas first. These are:

  • Communication and Language 
  • Physical Development
  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development

As children grow these Prime Areas will help them to develop skills in the 4 Specific Areas:

  • Literacy
  • Mathematics
  • Understanding the world
  • Expressive arts and design

These seven areas are used to plan your child’s learning. At Nursery Moksliukas, we take a fun, play-based approach to support learning and development in the early years. Our exceptional staff skilfully guide each child’s progress through effective, engaging teaching. Every child’s learning journey is recorded and celebrated in their individual portfolio.

Our staff will be happy to provide you with more information about the EYFS.

 

Caring for babies and toddlers

 

* For the purpose of this publication the term ‘parents’ will be used to describe all types of primary caregivers, such as biological and adoptive parents, foster carers and guardians.

As part of our current provision, we care for babies and toddlers under the age of two as well as pre-school children.

To ensure their health, safety, and well-being, we:

  • Follow the EYFS requirements and care for babies and toddlers in a separate base room with a maximum number of 6  children on a minimum ratio of 1:3 for children under 2 (Purple room), and maximum number of 12  children on a minimum ratio of 1:5 (Yellow Room) for children 2 to 3 years old.
  • Provide each baby/toddler with a key person and work in partnership with their parents to meet their individual needs and routines
  • Have highly qualified staff that understand the needs of babies and toddlers, ensuring that at least half of the team caring for children under the age of two have specific training for working with babies.
  • Ensure babies and toddlers have opportunities to interact with older children during the session
  • Make sure that transitions to the older age groups/rooms happen when assessed as appropriate for their age/stage (see separate Transition Policy)
  • Ensure staff supervise all babies and toddlers and organise the environment to support both non-mobile babies and more mobile babies and toddlers.

 

Environment

  • Risk assessments are carried out on the environment, equipment, and resources daily before the children access the rooms/area. This includes checking the stability of cots and areas around, low/highchairs and ensuring restraints on these, pushchairs and prams are intact and working
  • All doors are fitted with viewing panels and door finger-guards to prevent accidents
  • Outdoor shoes are removed or covered when entering the baby and toddler area(s). Staff remind parents and visitors to adhere to this procedure. Flooring is cleaned regularly using Milton and/or antibacterial spray.
  • Sterilisers are washed out and cleaned daily
  • Large pieces of furniture are fixed to the walls to stop them falling on top of babies and young children
  • Play and learning is planned in line with children’s individual interests and the EYFS learning and development requirements.

Resources

  • Resources/activities are age/stage appropriate to prevent small pieces being swallowed or otherwise injuring the child
  • Babies and toddlers are closely supervised during all activities
  • Resources and equipment that babies and young children have placed in their mouth are cleaned/sterilised after use
  • All resources are thoroughly cleaned frequently
  • Soft furnishings are frequently cleaned
  • The use of baby walkers only used for limited periods of time. If used for extended periods of time on a regular basis, these can contribute to delayed physical development. *(We follow NHS guidelines which recommends that if these resources are to be used then it should be for no more than 20 minutes at a time.)

Intimate Care 

We aim to make all nappy changes and toilet training supportive, respectful, and safe for each child. Here’s how we do it:

  • Nappy Changes:
    Carried out according to each child’s routine, ideally by their key person. Every change is recorded (time and staff initials) and shared with you via the Famly app.

  • Toilet Training:
    Introduced when your child is ready, and done in partnership with you to keep things consistent between home and nursery.

  • Hygiene & Safety:

  • Changing mats cleaned before and after use
  • Potties disinfected after every use
  • Staff always have gloves, wipes, and clean nappies ready
  • Children are never left unattended during changes
  • Students only assist under supervision
  • No phones or cameras allowed in care areas

  • Care & Comfort:
    Intimate care times are seen as a chance for calm, one-to-one connection, helping your child feel safe and supported.

If you’d like more details, you’re welcome to ask to see our full Intimate Care Policy.

 

Sleep (See Separate Sleep Policy)

  • Each baby/toddler has named bedding which is washed every week or every two weeks (depends on attendance routines) and when necessary, using detergent according to any allergies or sensitivity.
  • If a child prefers to sleep in a sleeping bag, we will ask parents/carers to bring one from home
  • All cot mattresses/sleep mats meet necessary safety standards
  • Safe sleep guidance is followed, babies are always laid to sleep on their back, with their feet touching the foot of the cot. Children under two years are not given pillows, cot bumpers or any soft furnishings to prevent risk of suffocation
  • We ensure that sheets or thin blankets come no higher than the baby’s shoulders, to prevent them wriggling under the covers. We make sure the covers are securely tucked in so they cannot slip over the baby’s head
  • Safe sleep advice is shared with parents.
  • We ensure the sheets and blankets are in good condition with no loose threads, holes or deteriorating fabric.
  • Cots are checked before use to ensure no items are within reach i.e. hanging over or beside the cot (e.g. fly nets, cables, cord blinds)
  • Babies sleeping outside have cat/fly nets over their prams and we ensure we only use prams that lie flat for sleeping so babies/toddlers are supported
  • Sleeping babies/children are supervised and checks are completed every 10 min This may be less for younger babies and/or new babies. Checks are documented with the time and staff initials on the sleep check form and sleeping times are shared with parent/carers.

Bottle feeding

  • Feeding times are an opportunity for bonding between a key person and child so, whenever possible babies are fed by their key person
  • Food/milk for babies is prepared on a separate cupboard which is specifically designated for this preparation. Good hygiene practices are completed before preparation is started.
  • We Follow the Department of Health guidelines regarding preparing bottles of formula:
    • They are made fresh each time the child needs one.
    • We use freshly boiled water cooled for no more than 30 minutes to make formula bottles.
    • We do not use cooled boiled water that is reheated.
    • They are then cooled to body temperature, so they should feel warm or slightly cool, but not hot.
    • Bottles are checked with a sterilised thermometer to ensure a safe drinking temperature for the child.
  • Bottles are made strictly following the formula instructions; if there are any discrepancies, a new bottle will be prepared.
  • All new staff are shown the procedure and will only prepare bottles independently once competent and confident. Students are always fully supervised.
  • Nursery bottles and teats are thoroughly washed in hot soapy water and sterilised after use (not cleaned in the dishwasher). They are replaced as needed.
  • Unwanted or leftover bottle contents are disposed of after two hours.
  • Babies are never left propped up or lying in a cot or pram with bottles, as this is unsafe and inappropriate.
  • A designated area is provided for mothers to breastfeed or express milk.
  • Labelled breast milk from mothers is stored in the fridge.

Mealtimes (See Separate Nutrition and mealtimes policy)

  • All highchairs have restraints, which are used at all times. Children are never left unattended while eating or in highchairs. Restraints are removed and cleaned weekly or as needed.
  • Mealtimes are social occasions that encourage interaction. Staff sit with babies and young children, promoting communication and social skills.
  • All children are closely supervised while eating, and paediatric first aid will be given if choking occurs.
  • Babies and young children are encouraged to feed themselves with support as needed.
  • We work closely with parents on weaning and offer support as needed.

Comforter and dummies (See separate Use of Dummies in the setting policy)

  • If dummies are used, they are cleaned and sterilised, including any dropped on the floor (see dummy policy).
  • All dummies are stored in separate labelled containers to prevent cross-contamination.
  • Dummies are disposed of if they become damaged
  • Comforters including teddies and blankets are kept safe and provided at sleep times, or if the child becomes unsettled.

 

This policy was adopted on Signed on behalf of the setting Date for review
19/07/2023 I.Cernychiene 31/08/2026