Early Years Foundation Stage
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework
The Early Years Foundation Stage Framework is the standard for school and childcare providers that are registered and will be inspected by Ofsted or the Independent Schools Inspectorate. Providers must meet the requirements for the learning, development and care of children from birth to five.
There are two frameworks:
- EYFS statutory framework for childminders
- EYFS statutory framework for group and school-based providers
Changes are regularly made to the EYFS framework, and a summary of the most recent changes can be found on GOV.UK: Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework.
The following help is also available for early years providers and childminders working with 0 to 4 year olds.
Early Years Inspection Handbook
The Early Years Inspection Handbook is the Ofsted guidance on inspecting registered early years and childcare providers under the education inspection framework.
Changes are regularly made to the inspection handbook, and a summary of the most recent changes can be found on GOV.UK: Early years inspection handbook.
Please note that: Paragraphs 137 and 139 have been updated to reflect that an inspector will ‘advise’ the provider to inform the local authority of their inspection outcome.
The Registered early years providers guidance - what early years providers need to know about inspection and the EYFS, should be read alongside the inspection handbook.
Quality improvement
Providers need to self-evaluate the quality of their provision and focus on the key aspects that are known to have the greatest impact on improving outcomes for children.
Improvement Support Programme
Services for Young Children (SfYC) work with all early years providers to ensure that they are of high quality and offer sufficient provision to the community.
Hampshire Early Years Consultancy and Training
Services for Young Children offer a range of support and training opportunities for Hampshire schools and early years and childcare providers.