ABSTRACT
In deciding how we work with the very youngest in society, it is important to recognise that the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework (DfE 2012b) places responsibilities on all practitioners. The care offered should be respectful of each child’s unique background and being. The practice choices made by each practitioner should enable children to become resilient, condent, strong and independent. This chapter considers how practitioners can interpret the EYFS so that they can support children to learn about themselves and their world. By the end of this chapter you should be able to:
N appreciate that safeguarding relies on each practitioner’s sense of personal, professional responsibility for the holistic care of children;
N take into account theories that see children as co-constructors in learning when choosing how to implement the EYFS (across all three sections);
N identify key aspects of early years practice that contribute to safeguarding children as part of everyday practice.
