Early Years Foundation Skills: The Fundamentals for 0-5 year olds that every parent needs to know

In Spring 2025, Antonia and Sian travelled to the UK for the Childcare Expo London 2025 to gain insights into the latest developments in Early Years education. 

Making sure our team have the latest information and training, we came away invigorated and reminded that :

"The first 5 years of a child's life has so much to do with how the next 80 years turn out" .

Being with thousands of other Early Year practioners was energising and inspiring ! We can't wait to share with you below a brand new concept we will be bringing to the Côte d'Azur .. First, we wanted to first share some major concerns that UK professionals are noting—concerns that align with what we've been seeing at KidooLand and have been reading in French studies too...

Early Years Skills Declining: What’s Happening?

Experts recently shared their findings for 2025, and the situation is concerning.

Early years children’s skills have fallen to record lows over the past five years for example a 3 year old used to have a vocabulary of 1000 words, this has for many dropped to 300 words .. the reasons behind this decline are multifaceted.

1. Underpaid and Undertrained crèche staff predominantly in the public sector A significant issue is that early years workers in crèches and similar settings are underpaid, undertrained, and undervalued. This has resulted in a stale curriculum and disengaged employees that fail to adequately support the children in their care. This lack of investment in both staff and resources has led to gaps in early childhood development.

2. The Lingering Impact of the Pandemic The pandemic has had a profound impact, and its effects are still being felt in schools today across all aged but particularly in the early years. We have yet to fully recover the foundational skills needed in early years education. Many children have missed out on essential developmental milestones during those critical years.

3. The Digital Impact on Development Babies today are born into a digital world, which increasingly steals parents' attention away from their children. Time spent on essential activities like reading, singing, and conversing—which are crucial for developing a child’s cognitive skills—has declined. This lack of interaction has resulted in lower attention spans and reduced levels of engagement. Furthermore, there has been a sharp rise in ADHD diagnoses, which, while partly due to increased awareness, has also been linked to the pervasive influence of digital devices.

4. Communication Delays Pre-pandemic, a 3-year-old typically had a vocabulary of around 1,000 words. Post-pandemic, this dropped to around 300 words, a significant decline with a direct impact on overall cognitive development.

5. Decline in motor skills Physical Education teachers in Primary have been noting a big decline in basic motor skills such as running, throwing and catching a ball etc.

   
   

If you’re reading this, we want to congratulate you. We know it’s because you’re a concerned parent who wants the best for your child. Like you, we are learning too in this evolving world and at KidooLand, we’re committed to helping both parents and children navigate these challenges with innovative and supportive solutions.

Building the Foundations for School Success

Children need to arrive at school with fundamental skills in place if they are to succeed academically. They need highly engaged, well-supported staff in early years settings—environments that foster language development, social-emotional learning, and motor skills. These foundational skills can’t be built in isolation, so parents also need time to bond, laugh, and engage in social activities with their children at home.

In France, a survey by the Direction de l'Animation de la Vie Sociale found that only 55% of children attending crèches were adequately prepared for school in areas like language and social-emotional development*.

KidooLand’s Innovative Approach to Early Years Foundation Skills

After seeing the gaps in early years education both in the UK and France, KidooLand decided it was time to rethink the traditional approach to preschool care including our own. The goal?

To rip up the rulebook and offer a new playbook .. something fresh that better serves future generations.

Discover the KidooLand Playhouse for babies, toddlers and their parents – Where Every Moment Counts

Are you ready for something truly different?

At KidooLand, we're not just offering another playgroup or class—we're redefining early childhood development and how parents can co-exist in their world . Balancing their work commitments alongside their baby's needs.

Our new Baby & Toddler hub is designed to offer your child a Playhouse the perfect mix of fun and learning, a home away from home.

The PlayHouse is your space where you can optimise learning, playing, and working . A place that is a flexible, stress-free environment where parents stay onsite and can have the choice to either join in the activity alongside their child, or dip out and go to the co-working space or lounge.

With a philosophy build on Play based learning you will be invited into join our sessions of Learn and Play .. every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday morning, children move seamlessly between exciting hands-on activities that are purpose-built to boost their communication skills, motor development, and creativity, work on their STEM & STEAM skills with block building, cooking, science and the Arts. And the best part? You get to be right there with them, enjoying every discovery.

But that’s not all.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays afternoons, we focus on creating SEND-friendly moments—a tranquil, soothing atmosphere with dimmed lights and carefully selected activities that help children who need extra calm and space to thrive. We want this to be a space that is welcoming for children who might get over stimulated in a more traditional setting but also be a supportive place for their parents, where they can connect and realise they are not alone.

We want to create the perfect place to nurture a child’s development in a relaxed, welcoming space, while giving you the freedom to take a breath and connect with other parents.

Get ready for a morning full of exciting adventures with our KidooDiscoveries—interactive play sessions that spark creativity, from Baby Beats where rhythm and movement come alive, to Tiny Explorers where little ones dive into sensory-rich worlds. Watch your child’s imagination soar with KidooCrafters, where they can express their creativity through art, or help them develop fine motor skills in Tots on the Move—a fun, action-packed session that encourages gross motor development with games and challenges!

At KidooLand, we’re bringing something new, fresh, and exciting to the Côte d'Azur. It's not just about play—it's about giving your child the right foundation for their future, in a place where you feel supported every step of the way.

How KidooLand is Supporting Early Years Development in Line with EYFS

At KidooLand, we are committed to providing a rich, interactive environment that nurtures the fundamental skills needed for early childhood development. Our activities are designed to align with the EYFS framework and support children in communication, language, social-emotional development, and more. Here's how our Baby & Toddler Centre promotes key EYFS skills:

1. Interactive, Experience-Driven Sessions

Supports: Physical Development, Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Understanding the World Our hands-on, engaging sessions encourage children to explore, learn, and develop essential skills through interactive play. We offer flexible drop-in sessions that allow parents to actively engage with their children while also providing access to parent-friendly facilities, such as a VIP Parent Lounge and coworking space. This balance of independent play and parental involvement promotes independence and encourages social interactions in a nurturing environment.

• Physical Development: Activities like climbing, jumping, and dancing promote gross motor skills and coordination.

• Social Development: Group play and parent-child interactions foster social bonding and sharing.

• Exploration: Children’s curiosity is encouraged as they explore new concepts and materials, fostering understanding of the world.

2. A Strong Focus on Communication & Language

Supports: Communication and Language Language development is one of the most critical aspects of the early years. We offer language-rich environments where children can develop their verbal skills through storytelling, music, and play. Programs like Baby Beats, Baby Sign Language, and interactive storytelling sessions are designed to boost communication, reduce frustration, and build confidence in children’s ability to express themselves. Parental involvement plays a crucial role in reinforcing these skills.

• Communication and Language: Children engage in conversations with their peers and caregivers, enhancing their listening and speaking abilities.

• Listening Skills: Storytelling and interactive music sessions support active listening and comprehension.

• Vocabulary Development: Songs and baby sign language expand children's vocabulary and help with early literacy.

3. Sensory Exploration & Early Cognitive Skills

Supports: Physical Development, Mathematics, Understanding the WorldSensory-rich experiences are essential for developing early cognitive skills. That’s why we offer Messy Play Mondays, sensory play sessions, and interactive play zones. Activities like water play, tactile stations, and bubble tubes engage multiple senses, promoting problem-solving, creativity, and fine motor skills.

• Physical Development: Messy play and water play develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

• Mathematics: Counting objects during sensory play or sorting shapes and sizes introduces basic numeracy concepts.

• Understanding the World: Children explore textures, materials, and cause and effect, promoting an understanding of their environment.

4. Emotional Support and Parent-Child Connection

Supports: Personal, Social and Emotional DevelopmentWe understand the importance of emotional support in the early years. At KidooLand, we provide expert-led breastfeeding support, babywearing workshops, and parental guidance sessions to help parents feel confident and supported in their role. These services foster strong parent-child connections and help with emotional regulation.

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development: Children are encouraged to express and manage their emotions through role-play and emotional discussions.

• Self-Regulation: Simple activities like deep breathing or calming exercises help children understand and manage their emotions.

• Empathy: Group activities such as sharing and turn-taking help children develop empathy and social awareness.

5. Building Independence and Social Skills

Supports: Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Physical DevelopmentAs children move into their toddler years, we focus on fostering independence through structured yet flexible activities. Our toddler playgroups and multi-sensory learning stations encourage social interaction and self-regulation. These activities are designed to develop sharing, turn-taking, and problem-solving skills, all while promoting independence.

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development: Children practice self-regulation, empathy, and sharing through structured group activities.

• Physical Development: Activities like building blocks and pretend cooking enhance fine motor skills and coordination.

• Literacy: Using interactive books and storytelling, children build early literacy skills and listening abilities.

At KidooLand, we’re committed to supporting children’s development by aligning our activities with the EYFS framework. Through a mix of interactive play, language-rich environments, and emotional support, we are helping children build a solid foundation in key developmental areas.

Our aim is to ensure that every child who walks through our doors has access to activities that equip them with with the skills they need to thrive—whether it’s language development, physical growth, or social-emotional learning—setting them up for success in school and beyond.

PS We haven't forgotten about grit and resilience . Therse are essential in character building .. the ability to fail fast, dust yourself off and carry on. The activities and parent coaching works at empowering the children to figure things out themselves, to explore and solve problems, learning at their own pace and with child led activities that they will thrive in and love.! Learning needs to feel natural .. we need to enter their world and make it all feel like play.

Top Tips to Help Your Child Develop Essential Early Years Skills at Home

At KidooLand, we believe that parents can play an essential role in supporting their child’s development at home. Here are some simple tips to nurture early years skills. Our team will be onhand in sessions to help coach you and support you so you can carry on the classroom experience at home too!

Firstly put your phone away! Then...

1. 🗣️ Communication & Language:

   • Talk, sing, and read with your child every day.

   • Link sounds with letters to build literacy skills.

   • Ask open-ended questions to expand their vocabulary.

2. ✍️ Fine Motor Skills:

   • Encourage drawing, coloring, and playing with small objects.

   • Let your child practice activities like cutting with child-safe scissors.

3. 🏃‍♂️ Gross Motor Skills:

   • Give your child plenty of time to run, jump, and play outdoors.

   • Organize active play like hopscotch, dancing, or ball games.

4. 🤝 Social Skills:

   • Promote group activities, such as board games or playdates.

   • Teach empathy by discussing emotions and encouraging teamwork.

5. ❤️ Emotional Understanding:

   • Talk about feelings and help your child name emotions.

   • Use stories to explore different emotions.

6. 🔍 Curiosity & Exploration:

   • Allow your child to explore and ask questions.

   • Set up small experiments or activities at home to spark curiosity.

7. 🎨 Creativity:

   • Provide tools for creative expression, such as art materials.

   • Encourage imaginative play and explore music and dance.

We have more tips here for you to do at home - they are free :-)

At home freebies

*What the Studies and Science Are Telling Us in 2025

We wanted to fact check what we had heard in the Childcare Expo findings. Here is what we found out:

As we approach 2025, research continues to highlight the importance of early years education and the parent-child interaction during these formative years.

Studies show that language development has been significantly impacted by the pandemic, with children now entering school with a reduced vocabulary.

The increase in screen time has also been linked to communication delays and attention span issues, while social-emotional development is suffering due to a lack of real-world interaction.

In particular, crèches in France have been found to focus more on childcare than early childhood education, with a report from the French Observatoire de la Petite Enfance revealing that 80% of crèches fail to meet developmental targets for early education.

Even in the UK, where nurseries are supposed to follow the EYFS framework, funding cuts and staff shortages have led to a decline in creativity and engagement.

High-quality, interactive environments, free from excessive screen time, are crucial for supporting a child’s development. As we move through 2025, the science is clear: early years are pivotal in shaping a child’s future. Ensuring children have access to language-rich environments, social-emotional learning, and creative play will help them reach their full potential.

1. Communication Delays Studies consistently show that language development in children has been significantly impacted by the pandemic, with many children now entering school with a reduced vocabulary compared to previous generations. A 2024 study from Cambridge University found that children born during the pandemic have, on average, 300 words by age 3, a significant drop from the pre-pandemic norm of around 1,000 words. Experts are attributing this gap to reduced face-to-face interaction, limited opportunities for socialisation, and increased screen time during the pandemic. Research from the American Academy of Pediatrics further supports that babies exposed to excessive screen time have slower speech development, as passive digital content doesn’t provide the interactive learning experiences that boost language skills.

2. Impact of Screen Time on Development The rise of screen exposure has emerged as a pressing concern in early childhood development. A study by Harvard University found that excessive smartphone use among parents leads to reduced engagement with children, which in turn hampers language skills, social-emotional development, and cognitive abilities. This “technoference,” or the distraction caused by digital devices, has been linked to lower attention spans, poorer emotional regulation, and difficulties in building relationships. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) suggests limiting screen time for children under 2 years old and keeping it minimal for those aged 3–5, emphasising the importance of active, face-to-face interaction.

3. Social-Emotional Development Social skills such as empathy, sharing, and managing emotions are also suffering. In a 2024 school readiness survey by UK charity Kindred², 36% of Reception teachers said children struggled to play and share with peers when starting school. Over a third also struggled with basic listening and following simple instructions in the classroom. Nearly half of teachers (49%) felt that children’s overall readiness for school in Sept 2024 was worse than the year before, suggesting the pandemic cohort is still catching up. Interestingly, 90% of parents believed their child was school-ready, showing that some families may not fully realise the subtle social-emotional lags that educators are noticing. A 2023 study in Frontiers in Psychology found that children who spent more time on screens and less on social interactions showed delayed social-emotional development, with noticeable struggles in peer relationships and emotional expression. Furthermore, studies highlight a rise in children diagnosed with ADHD, which, while partly linked to greater awareness and diagnosis, is also associated with increased screen time and lack of real-world engagement. These trends indicate that emotional regulation and social skills are vital areas to focus on in early years education.

4. Physical and Motor Skills Physical development has not escaped the pandemic’s grasp either. Research from Ofsted in 2024 pointed out that children who were restricted to indoor environments for extended periods missed out on essential physical play that helps build gross motor skills such as running, jumping, and climbing. These foundational physical skills are closely linked to overall coordination and motor control. Ensuring children have access to outdoor play and active movement is crucial for their physical health and development.

5. Foundational Early Years Skills are Key Overall, studies point to the importance of nurturing foundational skills—language, emotional understanding, social skills, motor abilities, and creativity—during the early years (0-5). Research in the Journal of Pediatrics stresses that these formative years are when brain development is at its peak, and the right interventions can set the stage for lifelong learning and success. High-quality, engaging early years environments, free from excessive digital distractions, are essential for helping children develop the skills they need to thrive both in school and beyond.

   
   

As we move through 2025, the science is clear: the early years are pivotal in shaping a child’s future, and interactive, adult-led engagement—whether through conversation, play, or reading—is essential for fostering a child’s development in these critical areas.

Ensuring that children are protected from excessive screen time and given plenty of opportunities for social and emotional learning, creative expression, and physical play will help them reach their full potential.

The evidence is building that with the right support, we can help today's children not just recover from the pandemic’s effects, but also build a strong foundation for the future.

We are here for you .. give Mériem and Sian a call Tel 0033 (0)4 93 64 53 54 and find out more about the PlayHouse and how you can be part of setting the foundational blocks for your child's future.