Curriculum & Learning in Early Years

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework

The 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. 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 future progress through school and life.’ EYFS Framework 2017 p5.

The EYFS framework has been revised. From September 2021, a new framework will become statutory. There has been changes made to the educational programmes, early learning goals (ELGs), assessment and the safeguarding and welfare section. 
Schools had the option of becoming an ‘Early Adopter’ of the revised EYFS framework.  8 schools in Darlington chose to do this.  The Early Years Team facilitated the network meetings for this group and liaised between the schools and the Department for Education. Darlington were used as a Department of Education case study of good practice.

Useful Links

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework [external link]

There is non-statutory guidance available to support the framework.

Current Framework

• Development Matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage [external link]

New Framework (from September 2021)

• Development Matters [external link]
• Birth To 5 Matters – guidance by the sector, for the sector [external link]