EYFS Statutory Framework

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets standards for the learning, development and
care of children from birth to 5 years old. All schools and Ofsted-registered early years
providers must follow the EYFS, including childminders, preschools, nurseries and school
reception classes.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework supports an integrated approach
to early learning and care. It gives all professionals a set of common principles and
commitments to deliver quality early education and childcare experiences to all children.
As well as being the core document for all professionals working in the foundation years, the
EYFS framework gives mums and dads confidence that regardless of where they choose for
their childs early education, they can be assured that the same statutory commitments and
principles will underpin their childs learning and development experience.
Below are links to the current EYFS statutory framework documents
EYFS Framework 2014 updated, effective from 1 September 2014
Following the Governments response to the consultation on The Regulation of
Childcare published 13 February 2014, the EYFS statutory framework has been updated and
will be in effect from 1 September 2014.
The revisions reflect changes which apply to Section 3 on Safeguarding and Welfare.
There have been no changes to the areas of learning and development, including the early
learning goals.
Download EYFS Framework 2014
Learn about changes for out of school childcare providers in the General Childcare Register
from September 2014 and the importance of building quality for children and parents.
Download Keeping Children Safe in Out of Hours Provision
Quick reference guide to the changes EYFS framework 2014
This document contains all the changes from the 2012 framework that apply to the new 2014
EYFS framework.
Download Quick reference guide to the changes
EYFS Framework 2012 effective until 1 September 2014
Statutory framework on the EYFS to be used until 1 September 2014.
Download EYFS Framework 2012
Additional support

Key EYFS documents are listed below. Existing and evolving additional resources developed
with the early years sector to implement the EYFS framework can all be found on this
website in EYFS guidance.
The EYFS Profile Handbook latest edition
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Handbook contains important information for all
early years professionals, local authorities and headteachers about assessing childrens
attainment.
It includes information about how and why EYFS assessments should be carried out
and guidance on:

How to complete an EYFS Profile

Recording childrens attainment

Making accurate and reliable judgements about EYFS attainment.

The Handbook should be used alongside the EYFS Assessment and reporting arrangements
and exemplification materials. The EYFS Profile LA moderation requirements booklet has
been incorporated into section 6 of the 2014 Handbook.
Download EYFS Profile Handbook
Example evidence of childrens attainment
These materials are a selection of example evidence of childrens attainment, categorised into
the 17 early learning goals (ELGs) which are part of the EYFS Profile.
The downloadable materials establish the national standard for the level of learning and
development expected at the end of EYFS for each ELG.
The exemplification materials help:

Practitioners to make accurate judgements for each childs attainment

Moderators to assess the accuracy of practitioner judgements

Year 1 Teachers to use EYFS Profile outcomes to plan effective provision

Other stakeholders who wish to evaluate childrens learning and development.

1. Exemplification materials and learning journeys covering ELGs 1-5 in a zip file.
Download exemplification material (part 1 of 4)
2. Exemplification materials and learning journeys covering ELGs 6-10 in a zip file.
Download exemplification materials (part 2 of 4)
3. Exemplification materials covering and learning journeys ELGs 11-14 in a zip file.
Download exemplification materials (part 3 of 4)

4. Exemplification materials and learning journeys covering ELGs 15-17 and learning
journeys in a zip file.
Download exemplification materials (part 4 of 4)
Early Years Outcomes
This document is a non-statutory guide to support practitioners and inspectors to help
understanding of child development through the early years. It can be used by childminders,
nurseries and others, such as Ofsted, throughout the early years as a guide to making best-fit
judgements about whether a child is showing typical development for their age, may be at
risk of delay or is ahead for their age. It is a guide to typical development while recognising
that children develop at their own rates and in their own ways.
Download Early Years Outcomes
The EYFS Progress Check at age two
This non-statutory guidance has been produced by National Childrens Bureau and supports
you in implementing the statutory progress check at age two as required in the EYFS
Framework 2012/14.
The progress check has been introduced to enable earlier identification of development needs
so that any additional support can be put into place as early as possible. The EYFS
Framework does not require the progress check to be completed in a prescribed or standard
format. It only specifies that information about a childs development should be provided to
parents in the prime areas of learning and development of the EYFS: personal, social and
emotional development; physical development; and communication and language. This
know how guide provides you with information to support you in carrying out the progress
check and gives examples of how practitioners provide information to parents. Its aim is to
stimulate ideas for how practitioners might approach the progress check.
Download EYFS Progress Check
EYFS for Parents

What to expect, when?

It is widely recognised the vital role that parents have in supporting their childrens learning
and development. Parents need to know what to expect in relation to their childs
development through the different age bands of the EYFS.
What to expect, when? is a simple guide which takes parents through the expectations of each
age band in the EYFS and how they can support their childrens learning and development.
This latest addition to the EYFS suite of materials is available to download as a free pdf.
Download What to expect, when?
4Children has published a non-statutory document, developed with parents for parents
providing an overview of the EYFS Framework 2012.
It illustrates how parents can support their child during their foundation years. Settings can
add further information in the blank boxes provided to give parents more detail about the
implementation of the EYFS in their setting. It is the intention that all settings should share
this guidance with parents. You can access, tailor and share the the document with parents
electronically but also as a downloadable printed copy. There is an accompanying user guide
taking you through the process of editing the Parents Guide.
Download Parents Guide to the EYFS
EYFS Framework 2012
In April 2012, a revised EYFS Framework was issued by government based on the
recommendations of Dame Claire Tickells review, The Early Years: Foundations for Life,
Health and Learning.
The revised EYFS emphasises the need for professionals to:

Spend more time interacting with children to promote creative and critical thinking
skills and early language and communication

Encourage dads and mums to become more involved in their childs development and
to give ideas as to how they can support this development at home

Identify as early as possible any additional needs a child may have and strengthen
links with colleagues, such as health visitors, who can support these needs

Share with parents a summary of their childs progress between 2 and 3 years of age

Refocus the learning and development of the youngest children in the foundation
years:

Through the three prime areas of learning: personal, social and emotional
development; communication and language; and physical development

Along with four specific areas of learning: literacy; mathematics; expressive

arts and design; and understanding the world.

Assess at the end of the reception year using the new Early Years Foundation Stage
Profile against significantly fewer early learning goals a reduction from 69 to 17

To make a judgement at the end of the reception year on how children learn, informed
by the characteristics of learning:

Active learning

Creating and thinking critically

Playing and exploring

To adhere to a clearer set of requirements to keep children safe.

Download EYFS Statutory Framework 2012

The 2012 EYFS Framework was supported by the following guidance developed with
and by the early years sector:
Quick reference guide to the changes EYFS Framework 2012
This document contains all the changes that apply to the 2012 Framework from the EYFS
Framework 2008
Download EYFS 2012 reforms guide
Development Matters 2012
This non-statutory guidance was produced by Early Education and is a resource to support
you in implementing the statutory requirements learning and development of the EYFS
Framework 2012/14. It replaces Appendix 2 of the 2008 EYFS Practice Guidance.
This guidance shows how the four themes of the EYFS Framework and the principles that
inform them work together to support babies and children. The Unique Child develops and
learns through interaction in Positive Relationships and Enabling Environments. It illustrates

how the Characteristics of Effective Early Learning may be supported and extended by adults
as well as how they underpin the Prime and Specific Areas of Learning and Development.
Use Development Matters as part of your daily observation, assessment and planning. It can
also be used at points during the EYFS as a guide to making best-fit summative judgements,
with parents and colleagues across agencies, about whether a child is showing typical
development, may be at risk of delay or is ahead for their age. The age/stage bands are the
same as they were previously. They overlap because these are not fixed age boundaries but
suggest a typical range of development. When you use Development Matters it is important
to remember that babies and young children develop at their own rates and in their own
ways.The development statements and their order are not necessary steps for every child and
should not be used as checklists.
Download Development Matters
Birth to Three Matters
The Foundation Years team converted the booklet, poster and the cards from the Birth to
Three Matters packs into PDFs for practitioners to download to support you in your work
with

the

youngest

children.

Download Birth to Three Matters cards

Download Birth to Three Matters poster
Download Birth to Three Matters booklet
EYFS Framework 2008
Downloads of the original statutory framework and supporting materials are available for
archive reference only: Statutory Framework, Practice Guidance, EYFS wall posters,
Principles into Practice cards. This EYFS pack does not reflect current policy.
Download EYFS Framework 2008
Do you need a printed copy of the EYFS Statutory Framework?
For printed copies of the Statutory Framework and supporting materials please visit
the 4Children website.
http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/eyfs-statutory-framework/