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Early Years Foundation Stage to be introduced from September 2008

All Early Years settings are undertaking staff training ready for the introduction of the new ‘Birth to Five’ curriculum which it will be mandatory for them to follow from this September. OFSTED will commence a new round of inspections from September to ensure that the curriculum is being followed and children are receiving good quality care and education.

The Department for Schools, Children and Families says:

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together: Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage (2000), the Birth to Three Matters (2002) framework and the National Standards for Under 8s Daycare and Childminding (2003), building a coherent and flexible approach to care and learning. All providers are required to use the EYFS to ensure that whatever setting parents choose, they can be confident that their child will receive a quality experience that supports their development and learning.

The EYFS is based on principles of inclusion which means that early years providers oppose discrimination and prejudice and welcome all families and children. They provide care and education for a wide range of children in environments that enable children to feel safe and supported and which extend their learning and development.

Throughout the EYFS stress is placed upon understanding each child and their family as unique, with different needs and concerns. Children’s development is presented under six overlapping phases. This overlap is intended to emphasise the fact that there can be big differences between the development of children of similar ages. At the same time age can be a cue, when taken with all other factors, to indicate that development may be atypical and that a child may need extra support.

For more information visit The Early Years Foundation Stage website.