Final revised EYFS Framework published
By Shannon Pite
The Department for Education has today published the final version of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework.
The new framework, available , will come into effect on 1 September 2021, and the Alliance's summary of the main changes are available here.
Following a recent consultation, a number of small amendments have been made to the safety and welfare requirements of the EYFS, which the Department for Education has summarised .
Commenting on the new framework, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, said:
"While we recognise that a review of the EYFS was necessary given that it has been a decade since the last significant one was undertaken, we remain disappointed at how closed the entire process has been and the lack of any meaningful engagement with the sector.
"Rather than reinforcing the need for and value of a child-centred approach to early years practice, the new framework appears to represent a shift towards a much more formal approach to provision, and one where the EYFS is seen as preparation for Key Stage 1, rather than a vital stage in and of itself.
"The Alliance will continue to support the sector to implement and deliver the new framework in a way that reflects the critical importance of a broad, child-centred approach, underpinned by a commitment to learning through play 鈥 practice that we as a sector know is best for supporting early development."
Today also marks the launch of the new , new non-statutory guidance developed by the Early Years Coalition following six months of consultation and input from across the early years sector. The guidance outlines the foundations of good practice and offers information and guidance for practitioners to consider how the Principles of the EYFS can be brought to life in their setting, while new sections on play, characteristics of effective learning, and self-regulation are designed to help practitioners to reflect on and develop their own pedagogy
鈥淲e are delighted to offer this support to the early years sector as they look ahead to implementing the revised EYFS from September,鈥 said Beatrice Merrick, Chair of the Early Years Coalition. 鈥淚t is a rich resource which will support knowledge of child development and how children learn, and help practitioners make their own professional judgements about meeting the needs of the children they work with.鈥
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