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Acknowledgement Liz Hodgman

The Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage has now been published. Registered childminders will need to use it from September 2008.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is a framework which sets the standards for learning, development and care of children from birth to 5. It builds on and will replace the existing Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage, Birth to Three Matters framework and the National Standards for Under-8s' for daycare and Childminding. Copies of the pack will be distributed by Local Authorities along with training to help you implement the framework in your setting.

The EYFS is based around four Themes:
 

 

 

EYFS materials

The EYFS package is a pack of resources which contains the regulatory and legal framework for early childhood education and care together with wider guidance. It comprises:

• Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage booklet which sets out both the welfare requirements and the learning and development requirements which must be followed by all providers in delivering the EYFS. The welfare requirements cover safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare, suitable people, premises, environment and equipment and the documents and procedures required for the safe and efficient management of settings. The learning and development requirements set out providers’ duties under each of the six areas of Learning and Development and include the early learning goals.
• Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage booklet which provides some further guidance on the legal requirements, details of the areas of Learning and Development and on key areas such as the EYFS principles and assessment.
• A1 poster which sets out the four guiding Principles of the EYFS and gives an overview of sixteen Commitments that providers need to follow in order to put the Principles into practice. This will be helpful to use with parents and professionals to introduce the EYFS.
• 24 cards which give practitioners the Principles and Commitments at a glance as well as introductory guidance on putting the principles into practice. They also provide details of the requirements for the areas of Learning and Development as well as an overview of child development.
• CD-ROM which contains all the information from the booklets as well as more in-depth information on all the Principles and Commitments covered on the cards. It allows practitioners to access information and video clips on effective practice, research and resources and to tailor their route to meet their own needs.

All of the above information is available to download off the following website: www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/eyfs/site/index.htm

NEWS ITEM ADDED 13 MARCH 2007         -  BCMA brings you the news first!!

‘Get ready! Preparing for the Early Years Foundation Stage’

Includes a ‘Diary of a childminder: what the EYFS means in practice’

Available free of charge from dfes@prolog.uk.com

Or call 0845 6022260 or you can write to
DfES Publications, PO Box 5050, Sherwood Park,
Annesley, Nottingham, NG15 0DJ