On first look at the EYFS framework I felt a little overwhelmed and shocked that young children were expected to achieve so much in such a short amount of time. Harry building a sand castle. What is reception? Reception is the first year of primary school in England and Wales for children aged 4 and turning 5 within that school year. This is a transitional year between Nursery and Year 1. Children are not legally required to attend Reception year; however, they are legally required to receive a full-time education from the term following their fifth birthday. Harry hanging upside down. Early Learning Goals The  EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) framework  clearly states that the developmental standards at this level are not part of a curriculum and are referred to instead as Early Learning Goals (ELG). It is intended that children reach these goals by the time they are old enough to enter Year One at the age of five or six. The framework covers seven strands of development which I