ABSTRACT
In 2008, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) was introduced; all Steiner kindergartens had to comply with the requirements for all settings that take children from birth to five, and with the independent school regulations for five to six year olds. In general, the new EYFS 2014 is much less prescriptive, and pays less heed to the areas which we could see as fitting in with the Steiner Waldorf approach, such as the themes and principles: the Unique Child, Positive Relationships and Enabling Environments. The Steiner concept is that everything that surrounds young children, both visible and invisible, has an impact on them. An understanding of human development underpins all Steiner practice. The development of social skills and awareness of others are preconditions to formal learning, and prepare children for the behaviour that is required once children are in the classroom situation. Children engage in many activities, such as sewing and weaving, which develop hand-eye coordination, manual dexterity and orientation.
