A Guide to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

​​

‘’Exciting times ahead for you and your child’’ 

​

What is the Early Years Foundation Stage? 

​

The EYFS was introduced in 2008 and is how the Government and professionals working with young children describe the important stage in a child’s life between birth and age 5. 

The EYFS has been updated several times over the years, to take account of current research into how young children learn and develop, and government policy related to children and families. The most recent version of the EYFS came into force on 1 September 2021. 

​

Nurseries, pre-schools, and childminders (early years providers) registered with Ofsted or a Childminder agency, must follow the EYFS framework. They are registered and inspected by Ofsted to ensure the quality and standards of their provision. Because the EYFS goes up to age 5, this includes Reception classes in school too. 

​

Ofsted’s role is to establish whether the early years provider is meeting the requirements of the EYFS and decide on whether they remain suitable for registration. 

​

The EYFS is a legal document and any failure to meet a requirement of the EYFS may result in action being taken by Ofsted. 

Why do we have the EYFS? 

​

Children learn and develop rapidly from the moment they are born. 

The home is the first environment where play and learning take place, supported by parents and other family members. Babies learn to crawl, walk, and talk, they begin to interact with people and the environment around them. 

Their brains develop rapidly in the early years and create vital foundations for learning throughout life. 

Research confirms that the experiences that a child has in the early years has a significant impact on their future life chances and that high quality early years care and education makes the biggest difference to every child. 

​

The EYFS provides a framework that ‘sets the standards that all early year's providers must meet to ensure that children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. It promotes teaching and learning to ensure children’s ‘school readiness’ and gives children the broad range of knowledge and skills that provide the right foundation for good progress through school and life.’ (EYFS 2021) 

What is in the EYFS? 

​

The EYFS has three sections: 

Section 1 Learning and development describes what early years providers must do to promote the learning and development of all children in their care in seven areas: 

• communication and language 

• physical development 

• personal social and emotional development 

• literacy 

• mathematics 

• understanding the world 

• expressive arts and design 

​​

The first three areas listed are described as the prime areas of learning and development because they are linked to a child’s brain development in the first three years of life. 

​

The following four areas are described as specific areas of learning that develop when parents and early years educators know what they want children to learn and create the right opportunities for learning to take place. 

The activities and experiences (educational programmes), that early year's settings provide are based on a child’s individual needs and interests. 

​

The emphasis is on learning through play because ‘play is essential for children’s development, building their confidence as they learn to explore, relate to others, set their own goals, and solve problems’ (EYFS 2021). 

Section 2 Assessment describes how children’s progress is recognised. 

​

There is additional guidance that supports the EYFS to help educators to recognise and interpret where a child is in their learning journey. The additional guidance is not intended to be a checklist that educators use to track a child’s development by ticking off one stage after another. 

​

Learning does not progress in a set sequence of events which is why educators observe children constantly and use their professional knowledge to identify the areas of learning that a child is secure in, what they need to know next, and any areas where they may need additional support. 

​

Assessment is not all about paperwork and written reports, but the EYFS expects that ‘parents and/or carers should be kept up-to-date with their child’s progress and development’ and discuss any additional needs with you and any relevant professionals, for example, if your child is struggling with their speech and language, your child’s key person may suggest that they would benefit from being referred to a Speech and Language Therapist. 

​

There are three formal assessment points in the EYFS: 

• the progress check at age 2 when you will receive a short, written summary of your child’s development in the prime areas 

• the Reception Baseline Assessment completed by your child’s school within the first six weeks of them starting reception, and… 

• assessment at the end of the EYFS – the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP) which is completed in the final term of the year your child turns five. The profile is assessed against a set of early learning goals for the seven areas of learning and development that the early years educators have been supporting them towards. 

Section 3 the safeguarding and welfare requirements explain what providers must do to safeguard children; ensure the suitability of adults who have contact with children; promote good health; manage behaviour; and maintain records, policies, and procedures (EYFS 2021) 

​

How are parents involved? 

Early years educators are professionals who understand how children learn and develop, they are appropriately qualified for the role they undertake and continue to update their skills and knowledge. 

They understand that you make a vital difference to children’s outcomes which is why the EYFS places a strong emphasis on the importance of working in partnership with parents. 

​

A two-way flow of information between you and your child’s key person helps to ensure that your child gets the best possible care and learning. 

 

How can I find out how my child is getting on?  

 

It is important that you and the professionals caring for your child work together. You need to feel comfortable about exchanging information and discussing things that will benefit your child. These conversations will need to be with your child’s “key person.” This is the person who: 

• Is your main point of contact within the setting  

• Helps your child to become settled, happy, and safe 

• Is responsible for your child’s care, development, and learning 

• Takes a careful note of your child’s progress, sharing this with you and giving you ideas as to how to help your child at home 

 

You can obtain information about your child’s development at any time and there are two stages (at age 2, and again at age 5) when the professionals caring for your child must give you written information about how he or she is doing. 

 

Between the ages of two and two and a half, your child will be invited to have a health and early education review. This is called the Shared Review. 

​

You know your child best, so your views really matter. The Shared Review is a real opportunity to listen to you and your child, to see how things are going and talk with you about anything that may help support their next steps at this particularly important time in their life. 

​

When all children are between the age of two and two and a half years old, you will be contacted to complete a questionnaire and arrange a meeting to discuss your child’s health with your Healthy Child Programme health visiting team somewhere that works for you and your child. 

​

If your child goes to a preschool, nursery, or childminder they will also have an early education progress check that will be discussed with you. With your consent, the information from health and early education will be brought together to give a whole picture of your child’s development and shared with you. 

Anything that may support your child’s development will be discussed with you and you will be given a summary of the information. Your child’s Red Book (Personal Child Health Record) will also be updated. 

When your child is 5 

 

At the end of the EYFS – in the summer term of the reception year in school – teachers complete an assessment which is known as the EYFS Profile. This assessment is carried out by the reception teacher and is based on what they, and other staff caring for your child, have observed over a period of time.  

 

Another important part of the EYFS Profile is your knowledge about your child’s learning and development, so do let your child’s class teacher know about what your child does with you: such as how confident your child is in writing their name, reading, and talking about a favourite book, speaking to people your child is not so familiar with or their understanding of numbers.  

 

All the information collected is used to judge how your child is doing in the 7 areas of learning and development. Finding out at this stage how your child is doing will mean that the teacher your child has in their next school year – year 1 – will know what your child really enjoys doing and does well, as well as helping them decide if your child needs a bit of extra support, what that support should be and if they are already getting it.  

The school will give you a report of your child’s progress, including information from his or her EYFS Profile. 

 

Where can I go for further information? 

 

Please feel free to ask me as many questions as you need to; I really do welcome speaking with you. You can find the Early Years Foundation Stage which includes the early learning goals at www.foundationyears.org.uk. The foundation year’s website also includes a range of resources and contacts.