Statutory framework
The Statutory Framework for Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets the standards that all early years providers must meet to ensure that children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. The EYFS seeks to provide:
- quality and consistency in all early years settings, so that every child makes good progress and no child gets left behind;
- a secure foundation through learning and development opportunities which are planned around the needs and interests of each individual child and assessed and reviewed regularly;
- partnership working between practitioners and parents and/or carers;
- equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practices, ensuring that every child is included and supported.
EYFS documentation:
- Early years foundation stage statutory framework for childminders
- Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage
- Development Matters - non statutory curriculum guidance for the early years foundation stage
- Progress check at age 2
- A Guide to The Two Year Old Progress Check Age Two (PDF, 90.05 KB)
- Progress check at age two template - Development Matters (DOCX, 579.68 KB)
- Progress check at age two template - Birth to 5 Matters (DOC, 7298 KB)
Early years good practice survey exploring perceptions of teaching and play - Teaching and play in the early years: a balancing act?
Understanding the revised EYFS for PVIs and childminders
Help for early years provides
Information, guidance and practical support for delivering the early years foundation stage (EYFS) framework:
- Areas of learning and development
- Get help to improve your practice
- Curriculum planning
- Reducing paperwork
- Working in partnership with parents and carers
- English as an additional language (EAL)
- Meeting the needs of all children
- Sensory food education
- Integrated reviews
- Early years practitioner wellbeing support
Physical development
The Chief Medical Officer's updated physical activity guidelines - for children has now been published. (Updated 9 January 2020)
The recommendations presented are based upon the latest scientific evidence. It is important to establish a high level of activity at the earliest age in order to provide the best start to encourage activity patterns and habits later in childhood that are sufficient to benefit long term good health.
Physical activity guidelines: infographics - explaining the physical activity needed for general health benefits for all age groups.
Transition
In the summer term, practitioners should complete transition records (DOCX, 959.71 KB) before the children start or transfer to another provision, school nursery or reception. A transition report should be a summary of the child's progress in each of the seven areas of learning and development.
A one-page profile (DOCX, 30.08 KB) captures important information about a child/young person that is key to their progress on a single sheet of paper. This document gives us an insight into the child/young person's needs and how they can be supported. The one-page profile can be used to share information and give us a clearer understanding as to the child's/young person's development and needs. It can be especially useful at transition times and to support the child/young person through times of change.
Health
Healthy Early Years London
Healthy Early Years London (HEYL) programme was launched in September 2018 when the Mayor made a commitment to focus on the health of young children as it has been proved that if healthy lifestyles starts when children are young and continues throughout early childhood that this will produce better health outcomes, both physically and mentally for young adults, continuing into adulthood.
Many providers have joined the programme, some have already successfully completed their bronze and silver awards. Many providers have found by taking part that it has had a positive impact on their provision, and outcomes for children and families. If you would like more information about how to start the HEYL programme please email eyteam@enfield.gov.uk.
Health protection in children and young people settings, including education
A practical guide for staff on managing cases of infectious diseases in children and young people setting, including education
Healthy eating guidance published for the early years sector
A series of example menus and associated guidance has now been developed to support early years settings (such as nurseries and childminders) to offer food and drink in line with current government dietary recommendations for infants and children aged 6 months to 4 years.
The documents include example menus and useful information for early years settings to help show how they can meet the Early Years Foundation Stage welfare requirement to provide ‘healthy, balanced and nutritious' meals for children.
- Guidance examples menus for early years settings in England
- Eat Better, Start Better
- Safer Food, Better Business for Childminders
- Allergens
Ofsted
Guidance:
- Report changes to registered people in your nursery or other daycare
- People connected with Ofsted-registered childcare
- Childminders: report new people in the setting
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks : childcare providers
- Apply to join a nursery or other daycare organisation (EY2)
- Applying to work some of the time on non-domestic premises (EYA)
- Framework for the regulation of providers on the Childcare Register
- Get a DBS check if you live or work in a childcare setting
Childcare register requirements :
- Daycare providers on the compulsory Childcare Register : Ofsted requirements
- Daycare providers on the voluntary Childcare Register : Ofsted requirements
- Requirements for childminders registered on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register
- Requirements for childminders registered on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register
Early years inspection handbook
Early years inspection handbook for Ofsted registered provision -Ofsted guidance on inspecting registered early years and childcare providers under the education inspection framework.
Communication and Language
Early Talk
Early Talk is aimed at early years/pre-school practitioners and was created by Speech & Language UK, delivered by a licensed tutor typically as a half day inset day. The objective is to increase practitioner knowledge of the approaches and strategies that can be used in settings to support the development of speech, language, and communication skills in children. The course focuses on increasing participants knowledge of typical communication and language development, developing practitioners’ strategies and interaction styles. The training materials and resource toolkits are purchased from Speech and Language UK. They cost £20 per participant book and £85 per toolkit.
If you would like to find out more information about the course, please visit: Speech and Language UK – Early Talk
If you would like to book or discuss the course in more detail, please email EyTraining@enfield.gov.uk
Early Talk Boost
Early Talk Boost is a targeted catch-up programme aimed at 3–4-year-old children who need help with talking and understanding words. Most importantly, the programme helps to boost their language skills to narrow the gap between them and their peers.
There are two parts to this programme.
The first is Early Talk Boost training delivered by a Licensed Tutors, as a half day inset day for early years practitioners working with groups of 3–4-year-olds in early years settings. Additionally, participants will develop the skills and knowledge to understand the rationale behind Early Talk Boost, identify appropriate children, measure their progress and deliver the programme successfully.
The second is the Early Talk Boost Programme Pack which includes everything you need to run the programme.
If you would like to find out more information about the course and the resources, please click here: Speech & Language UK – Early Talk Boost
If you would like to book or discuss the course in more detail, please email: EyTraining@enfield.gov.uk