Early Years Schemas – Practitioner Toolkit | EYFS Birth–5
A practical, research-informed toolkit for recognising schemas and responding through meaningful, child-led provision.
(Available Now with Professional Membership)
What this document is
The Early Years Schemas – Practitioner Toolkit is a comprehensive professional resource designed to help practitioners recognise, understand and respond to children’s schematic play across the EYFS, from birth to five.
Schemas are repeated patterns of behaviour through which children explore ideas such as movement, space, connection, transformation and symbolism. This toolkit supports adults to view these behaviours not as “challenging” or “random”, but as deeply purposeful learning.
The toolkit includes clear schema reference cards and a structured observation and responsive planning template, supporting practitioners to plan environments and interactions that build on children’s natural motivations.
It is intended to support professional judgement, not replace statutory guidance or formal assessment.
Who this is for
EYFS practitioners working with children from birth to five
EYFS leaders and managers
SENCOs and inclusion leads
Childminders and mixed-age settings
Practitioners seeking to deepen child-led, play-based practice
What this document helps you do
Identify dominant schemas through observation of play
Reframe repeated behaviours as meaningful learning
Plan provision that responds to children’s interests and thinking
Support sustained engagement and deeper learning
Use professional, strengths-based language for SEND discussions
Reduce behaviour-led interpretations of schematic play
Communicate children’s learning clearly with colleagues and families
What’s included in the toolkit
This toolkit includes:
Schema Cards for 13 common EYFS schemas
Clear definitions
Typical behaviours
Age-related examples (Age 1–5)
Enabling resource ideas
Schema Observation & Responsive Provision Planning Template
Objective observation logging
Schema identification and analysis
Links to learning concepts (e.g. physics, spatial reasoning, symbolism)
Intentional adult role planning
Environmental and resource enhancements
Fully Completed Example Template
Realistic observation records
Multiple schemas identified in context
Clear examples of responsive planning
Model language suitable for staff training, moderation or inspection
The toolkit is designed to be practical, flexible and reusable, supporting both day-to-day practice and professional discussions.
How this document is used in practice
Practitioners use this toolkit to:
Observe repeated patterns across play and routines
Identify dominant schemas (often more than one at a time)
Adjust environments rather than interrupting play
Add resources that deepen learning without redirecting it
Model language and interaction linked to children’s thinking
Record what supports engagement for SEND and EAL learners
It reinforces that:
Schemas often overlap and recur over time
Children may explore the same schema in different ways and contexts
Progress is shown through depth, complexity and transfer, not speed
How this fits within our EYFS framework
This toolkit forms part of our wider EYFS Curriculum & Pedagogy framework, supporting child-led learning, observation-informed planning and inclusive practice.
This document is part of our EYFS Curriculum & Pedagogy Membership (Professional), which provides full access to age-specific curriculum frameworks, planning guidance, assessment tools and leadership support.
(Available Now with Professional Membership)
Related documents include:
Or read our ‘Little Owls Resources’ Curriculum Intent Statement’
Additional Whole-Setting Guidance | for Professional Members
Explore our whole-setting guidance below, including overarching curriculum and pedagogy documents, early years schemas and EYFS setting policies.
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Early Years Schemas - Practitioner Toolkit | EYFS Birth-5
↪ Schema Cards (definition, behaviours, age-related examples, enabling resources)
↪ Schema Observation & Responsive Provision Planning Template
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EYFS Group Setting Policies Pack
↪ x 22 Policy Documents
↪ Policy Sign-Off and Confirmation Document
↪ EYFS Setting Policy Folder Contents List
Childminder Setting Policies Pack
↪ x 22 Policy Documents
↪ Childminder Assistant or Volunteer Policy Sign-Off and Confirmation Document
↪ Childminder Policy Folder Contents List
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↪ Clear, practitioner-friendly explanations of key curriculum and pedagogy terms used throughout our guidance.
Looking to explore our age-specific pathways?
Select the pathway that best reflects your role or the age group you work with. You do not need to use everything. (Some practitioners may use more than one pathway.)
What is Professional Membership?
Find our more about our Professional guidance for confident, reflective EYFS practice (Birth–5)
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Content within the EYFS Curriculum & Pedagogy Membership is provided as professional guidance and support. It reflects current understanding of the EYFS statutory framework, Development Matters and inspection expectations at the time of writing. Practitioners are responsible for applying professional judgement and ensuring practice aligns with current statutory requirements and their specific context.
Updated: January 2026