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Child Development & Early Education vocabulary · Nursery Practice and Routines

Early years

Meaning in child development & early education, with examples

nounCore term

In child development & early education, early years means: The first years of a child's life, usually from birth to about five, and the services and profession that care for and educate children of this age.

In Turkish: erken çocukluk dönemi, okul öncesi dönem, okul öncesi eğitim alanı

How it is used

Very common in the UK, usually with 'the': in the early years. It also works before a noun: early years practitioner, early years setting, early years teacher. In the US people more often say early childhood.

Example sentences

  1. The early years are a time of very rapid brain development.

  2. She has worked in early years for twelve years, mostly in baby rooms.

Common collocations

  • in the early years
  • early years practitioner
  • early years setting
  • early years education
  • early childhood educationEducation and care for young children before they start primary school, and the profession and academic field connected with it.
  • EYFSShort for Early Years Foundation Stage, the statutory framework in England that sets standards for the learning, development and care of children from birth to five.
  • nurseryA place where children under school age are cared for and learn during the day, sometimes from a few months old; also a baby's bedroom at home.
  • key personThe member of nursery staff who has special responsibility for a small group of children, builds a close bond with each child and is the main contact for the family.

More terms: Nursery Practice and Routines

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