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, 92.33 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
Report changes to registered childcare providers
Providers must tell Ofsted about changes to those responsible for a childcare provision, and for a home where child care takes place, and also who is living or working there.
- Requirements for childminders registered on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register
- Requirements for childminders registered on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register
- Ofsted poster for parents
People connected with Ofsted-registered childcare
Guidance on checks Ofsted will carry out on anyone associated with Ofsted - registered childcare.
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.