The revised, simpler framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) was published on 27 March 2012, for implementation from September 2012.

This is an integral part of the Government’s wider vision for families in the foundation years. It demonstrates our commitment to freeing professionals from bureaucracy to focus on supporting children. Together with a more flexible, free early education entitlement and new streamlined inspection arrangements, this is a step towards a lighter touch regulatory regime. The Government will continue to seek to reduce burdens and remove unnecessary regulation and paperwork, which undermine professionals’ ability to protect children and promote their development.

The new EYFS framework makes a number of improvements:

  • Reducing bureaucracy for professionals, simplifying the statutory assessment of children’s development at age five.
  • Simplifying the learning and development requirements by reducing the number of early learning goals from 69 to 17.
  • Stronger emphasis on the three prime areas which are most essential for children’s healthy development. These three areas are: communication and language; physical; and personal, social and emotional development.
  • For parents, a new progress check at age two on their child’s development. This links with the Healthy Child review carried out by health visitors, so that children get any additional support they need before they start school.
  • Strengthening partnerships between professionals and parents, ensuring that the new framework uses clear language.

A written ministerial statement announcing the publication, and supplementary documents, are available on the Department's website.

The following non-statutory guidance has been co-produced by the sector to support the framework

The Department has also produced a summary of key reforms to the framework as follows

For more information on foundation years, please visit Foundation Years website.

EYFS (2008) – will continue to be in force until 31 August 2012

The EYFS is a statutory framework that sets the standards for the learning, development and care of children from birth to five.

All providers are required to use the EYFS to ensure that whatever setting parents choose, they can be confident their child will receive a quality experience that supports their care, learning and development.

The following online guidance, information and resources are available to support EYFS practitioners:

Early Years Foundation Stage profile (eProfile)

The eProfile provides an electronic means of building a record of assessment outcomes throughout the Reception year, to support the making of final judgements for EYFS profile.

The most recent version of the eProfile software can be downloaded from this page.

A revised EYFS framework and EYFS Profile statutory assessment will be in place from 1 September 2012. As the statutory assessment process will differ significantly from that currently in place, the Department will not commission further development of and support for the eProfile data collection tool beyond this date.

Existing users should continue to use eProfile for the current cohort. Data entered for the current and previous cohorts will remain accessible within the software after September 2012.  

Applying for exemptions from the learning and development (L&D) requirements under the existing EYFS framework for providers

For providers intending to submit a new application, or an application for renewal, please note that from 1 September 2011 the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA) is no longer considering or processing these applications. All applications should be sent to the Department for Education. Please read the Interim EYFS guidance August 2011 – provider level which holds details and information on how and where to submit applications.

Applying for exemptions from the learning and development (L&D) requirements under the existing EYFS framework for individual children

QCDA guidance on this topic is current. If providers or parents have any questions they should consult their local authorities. Information on LAs is available from the Directgov website.