Monitoring the Quality of Education in EYFS - Understanding the World

Monitoring the quality of education in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) involves a careful examination of how children are developing their understanding of the world around them. This aspect of the curriculum is pivotal as it lays the foundation for children's later learning in science, geography, history, and technology. Effective monitoring ensures that educational practices are nurturing a child's curiosity, helping them make sense of their physical world, and fostering an appreciation of different communities and cultures. It also involves assessing how well children are being supported in their explorations and in making connections between different areas of learning and their own experiences.

In assessing the quality of education in this domain, educators look at the opportunities provided to children for observing, predicting, and interacting with both living things and the environment. This includes evaluating the resources made available to the children—such as books, tools, and technology—and how effectively these resources are integrated into play and structured learning. Another key component is the role of the practitioner in guiding and extending children's knowledge through questioning and discussion. Observing how children engage with the world, ask questions, and express their understanding is crucial in ensuring the EYFS provision is supporting them in becoming competent learners who are confident to explore and eager to discover more about their world.