This practice guide,  EYFS - Prime and Specific Areas of Learning, explores areas of best practice when delivering the prime and specific areas of learning in England.

This practice guidance has been developed for childminders and childcare practitioners who work within the EYFS framework.

This guide covers:

• Section 1 (Learning and Development) of the Early years foundation stage statutory frameworks
• The three prime areas of learning and development
• The four specific areas of learning and development
• A summary of how the prime and specific areas and the characteristics of effective learning are interconnected

Download EYFS - Prime and Specific Areas of Learning now.

Download a free simple weekly EYFS planner.

Additional reading

Development Matters Non-statutory curriculum guidance for the early years foundation stage DfE publications

Reflecting on your practice

Did you know that reading and reflecting on factsheets and practice guides, and the resources mentioned in them, all contribute to your continuous professional development (CPD)?

It is helpful to keep a CPD log evidencing what you have done, when you did it, why you did it, what you learnt, and the impact it has had on your work and the well-being, learning and development of the children in your care. Think about how you would explain the impact the CPD has had for you to a parent, a student, an inspector, or a visitor to your setting.

Remember CPD is not just about attending a training course. It can be visiting another setting, reading a relevant book, publication, or blog; attending a webinar; researching a relevant topic; taking part in discussions with peers or taking part in on line learning.