The Department for Education (DfE) has published an updated version of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, setting standards that school and childcare providers must meet for the learning, development and care of children under five. The EYFS framework published in March 2014 remains statutory until 2nd April 2017. The revised version of the EYFS will become statutory from 3rd April 2017.
The summary (P3) emphasises that the learning and development requirements and the safeguarding and welfare requirements are non-negotiable – indicated by the word ‘must’. Whilst other provisions which providers should have regard to are indicated by the word ‘should’, stating: “Having regard” to these provisions means that early years providers must take them into account when providing early years provision and should not depart from them unless there is good reason for doing so.’ (EYFS 2017)
Changes relate to:
- The new requirement for Level 3 practitioners to have a Level 2 qualification in English and maths as defined by the DfE Early Years Qualifications List
- The requirement for newly-qualified Level 2 and 3 practitioners to have a full paediatric first aid certificate or emergency paediatric first aid certificate within three months of starting work
It’s also great to see that in Paragraph 1.5 there is now a link to the Chief Medical Officer’s guidance on physical activity for children which we have been referring providers to for years!