With the advent of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) national framework for educating children from Birth to 5, early years workers face fresh challenges. Organized around 14 chapters, Section One looks at policy, pedagogy and key issues in practice surrounding the implementation of the EYFS, and Section Two looks at the areas of learning and development in EYFS. Ways to plan, implement, observe and evaluate activities for young children from Birth to 5 are discussed, a range of theoretical perspectives is built upon and different ways of delivering the EYFS are explored. By combining sound theoretical underpinning with practical case studies, this book offers a critical approach to the implementation of EYFS. It takes its inspiration and examples of best practice from projects based in a range of early years settings, and considers the role of the practitioner and the holistic development of the child. The book covers: policy and pedagogy; working in partnership; meeting EYFS outside the classroom; assessment; transition; using learning stories in the EYFS; the national picture; communication, language and literacy; personal, social and emotional development; problem-solving, reasoning and numeracy; knowledge and understanding of the world; physical development; and, creative development. In each chapter there are objectives, summaries, questions for discussion, key points to remember, further reading and useful websites. Suitable for students undertaking any early years or early childhood course, or working towards Early Years Professional Status (EYPS), this book is an essential and informative read.