7 Helpful EYFS Teacher Books That Build An Outstanding EYFS Classroom

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Here are 7 EYFS Teacher books that I used religiously in my first few years. 

but before that…

No EYFS teacher will get far without developing their knowledge of EYFS. I always hear others say ‘’EYFS is a different world!’’ Well, You cannot always wait for EYFS CPD or to complete Your Early Years Teacher Status!Do you know what makes a good EYFS Teacher? It is research and updating your EYFS practice!

Reception Year in Action – Reception Teacher Books

Anna Ephgrave is a continuous provision master! In my first year of teaching, I followed her month-by-month guide of EYFS Learning. If you really want a breakdown of ideas for a Reception Classroom this is the book to get! Not only does Anna give you detailed information on how to set up an outstanding EYFS Classroom but she also offers EYFS ideas and activities. This book helped my first school go from under moderation to independent. She is very thorough in explaining observation, assessment and planning in the EYFS.

What are the cons of this book? Well, Anna had an amazingly large outdoor and indoor area, which was triple the size I was working with at the time I was reading this book, she also has a lot of experienced staff to implement her curriculum. However, don’t let that get you down, I managed to use her techniques for years in my own EYFS provision, it only improved my EYFS knowledge! 

Planning in the Moment for Young Children – New to EYFS Teaching

This book answers your questions like: 

How does continuous provision work?

What is the point of continuous provision?

How do you plan for continuous provision?

Another masterpiece, written by Anna Ephgrave. She provides you with photography and detailed information on enabling environments in the EYFS. This helps point out key parts of an outstanding EYFS classroom such as; transitioning periods, setting up continuous provision, adult role and managing paperwork. This book gives you the HOW and WHY!

If you want to strengthen your EYFS knowledge especially if you are new to EYFS, completing your CACHE Level 3 or beginning your Early Years Teacher Status! This book is perfect! If you’re a veteran of EYFS continuous provision and Anna Ephgrave then this book may not be for you as I didn’t find it as interesting as I would have at the beginning of my career but NEVER STOP LEARNING! 

Nursery Year in Action – EYFS Teacher books

Now, if you work in a preschool or Nursery this book is for you! One thing I love about this book is just like Reception Year in Action it gives you a Month by Month guide on how to develop outstanding provision in the Nursery You will be able to implement this! I also benefited from this as a Reception Teacher, I was taught so much as this book was written a few years after the Reception year in action.

Again, the only cons is that they have a large provision and  Staff area! However, you can still take what’s written and apply it to your practice. I turned my classroom from a Twinkl Haven to a child initiated and engaging, enabling environment! The investment is best for Nursery Teachers and EYFS Leaders

50 fantastic Ideas Series – EYFS Activity Ideas

If you have planning meetings you know the sting of silence when everyone is trying to come up with ideas but we all know we have nothing! 50 Fantastic Ideas is an amazing series full of great EYFS activity ideas! You never run out of things to implement and 99% of the time the EYFS activities and ideas offered are absolutely impeccable in practice.

I would advise that their activities do require prep and to be honest, are perfect for individual child planning. Another tip is to ensure what type of activity you are implementing, for example, does an adult need to be present or can it be child-led and extended? It’s a book that will help erase the silence on planning meetings. The third way you could tackle this is by having a look on Pinterest for ideas! 

Best Practice in Early Years – Outstanding EYFS Classroom

Now, I have mixed feelings about this book but as a new EYFS Teacher, it supported me in my first journey. This book doesn’t have many pictures or photographic examples but will have a huge impact on your ethos. It shows the importance of dedicating your time to the growth of children and how your practice should be centered around independence. It’s a book that needs to be read by every practitioner who spends over 3 days on one display that is mostly adult work. Stick with me…here’s my email list so we can work on this. The children always come first! 

Early Childhood Environment Rating Scales – Outstanding Continous Provision

It took me a looong time to purchase this book but I seriously regret it! I wish I had gotten this in my first few years. Many of us struggle with knowing what goes into each learning area! However, this book guides you to rate whether your learning areas are good to outstanding and tells you EXACTLY how to achieve it! This is different from Anna Ephgraves amazing guides, whilst Anna tells you WHAT and HOW to build an enabling environment. Early Childhood Environment Rating allows YOU to ASSESS YOUR OWN LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. It helps with deep reflective practice and reflective practice is key for becoming an outstanding EYFS teacher! 

Jolly Phonics Teachers Book – Reception Teacher Book

Okay, hear me out, this book will SAVE YOU! I know you may have had Phonics Training! For those who haven’t – fight for it- you should not be in a school without phonics training – send those emails! Anyways, If you need a go-to for homework, a good phonics structure and in my first year it was the only line between my children reaching their ELG’s or getting an Emerging grade in Literacy (This was before the New EYFS 2021 Curriculum). My darling save yourself writing lesson plans and panicking about progression. This is your secret guide! 

Here are some blogs for New EYFS Teachers!

Early Excellence so you’re in EYFS Now!

Mr Starbuck Education – Ideas for Primary Teachers

Begginers Guide to surviving Early Years

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