Exploring the Changes of the New EYFS 2021
- Maria Haran
- Apr 3, 2021
- 4 min read
Exploring EYfS 2021 training 22nd April 15pp see link xx
Well here we have it ! They have done it again and changed it, hopefully this time for the better! Let’s see - leave comments below to let us know what your thoughts are....
The changes to the EYFS statutory framework are being made to:
❤️ improve outcomes at age 5, particularly in early language and literacy
🤗 reduce workload such as unnecessary paperwork, so you can spend more time with the children in your care
Changes to the educational programmes
the government in this brief have stated that ‘Educational programmes, referred to by some people as the ‘early years curriculum’, are the areas of learning and development which must shape the activities and experiences that children have in your early years setting, at all ages.
✔️ your childcare setting should use the educational programmes to decide the approach to curriculum that is right for you.
The 7 areas of learning and development remain the same.
The 3 prime areas:
✅ communication and language
✅ physical development
✅ personal, social and emotional development
The 4 specific areas:
✔️ literacy
✔️ maths
✔️ understanding the world
✔️ expressive arts and design
Changes have been made to the wording in the educational programmes. Specifically, this means:
☑️ they are longer, there is more depth, and they contain examples of things that you can do with children
☑️ there is a new focus on early language and extending vocabulary, with more examples on how to embed and develop vocabulary skills across all 7 areas, because this improves child development in a broad curriculum
What this means in practices?
The new ‘development matters’, non-statutory curriculum guidance for the early years foundation stage can help inform your approach to curriculum, putting the educational programmes into practice. It is available on the early adopter page. (If you would like a printed copy click here:
https://www.eyfsresources.com/product-page/development-matters-2020 )
Changes to safeguarding and welfare
There will be some minor changes to the safeguarding and welfare section, including a new requirement to promote the good oral health of children.
This could include things like talking to children about the effects of eating too many sweet things, or the importance of brushing your teeth.
Adding this requirement does not mean that you must carry out supervised toothbrushing. You will not be required to assess children’s oral health.
However, you can decide how this requirement is met, for example, there are various schemes around the country that support supervised toothbrushing. You may want to speak to your local authority about this.
If supervised toothbrushing is something you decide to introduce, you should also read the guidance on supervised toothbrushing during coronavirus (COVID-19). (To purchase a Printed copy: https://www.eyfsresources.com/product-page/eyfs-coronavirus-disapplications)
Early adopters of the new EYFS do not have to follow this change.
☑️ Two Assessment arrangements ☑️
No changes have been made to the progress check at age 2.
This is the only statutory assessment that people working with pre-reception children will need to carry out.
The purpose of the 2 year check is to help identify strengths and any areas where progress is less than expected. It is not a requirement to identify a child as exceeding, emerging or expected for the 2 year check.
Changes to the early learning goals
The early learning goals summarise the knowledge, skills and understanding that all young children should have gained by the end of the academic year in which they turn 5, the reception year.
Pre-reception providers do not need to use the early learning goals, but the changes are included here so you can see a child’s expected level of development by the time they turn 5.
The early learning goals should not be used as a curriculum. They should be used as an assessment during the summer term of the reception year.
The early learning goals have been changed to make them clearer and more specific. They are more focused on the main factors that support child development at age 5.
The 7 areas of learning and development are:
🌟 communication and language
🌟 personal, social and emotional development
🌟 physical development
✔️ literacy
✔️ mathematics
✔️ understanding the world
✔️ expressive arts and design
The goals are there to be used to assess children at the end of reception year, rather than for pre-school children.
Changes to ‘development matters’: non-statutory curriculum guidance.
The GVT have published a new version of ‘development matters’ if you want a printed copy click here: to purchase a printed version https://www.eyfsresources.com/product-page/development-matters-2020
It’s not compulsory it is recommend that you use it with the new statutory framework (printed copy: https://www.eyfsresources.com/product-page/eyfs-2021
Main changes
It’s shorter, about two-thirds of the length of the previous version, to allow for more freedom to develop the right broad curriculum for the children you work with.
The age bands have been simplified to avoid tracking activities that don’t support child development.
📝 There are now 3 instead of 6:
✔️ birth to 3
✔️ 3 and 4 year olds
✔️ children in reception
There’s more room for professional judgement. You can make more judgements based on your knowledge and experience, instead of using the early learning goals or age bands in the framework to track children’s progress.
👀 How can begin to prepare??
You do not need to make the changes now. But you should make plans to implement them from September 2021.
Take time to read the early years foundation stage early adopter framework and new ‘development matters’ on the early adopter page.
https://www.eyfsresources.com/product-page/eyfs-2021
if you want a printed version... or you can book onto the webinar here:
You may also find it helpful to:
✅ brief your staff/ assistants about the changes
✅ start planning for the changes coming in September 2021
✅ seek support from us about implementing the changes to the EYFS
What you need to do from September 2021
From September 2021, all early years providers must follow the new statutory framework.
Whatever your role and type of setting you work in, you’ll need to be working to the new framework.
🌟Ofsted inspections - Rutland Early Years Inspections September 2021 ⭐️
How and when you’ll be inspected by Ofsted / Rutland depends on whether you’re on the childcare register or the early years register.
You can read Ofsted’s inspection framework to be aware of the processes and procedures under the education inspection framework (EIF).
Adapted from GVT website
letbus know your thoughts in the comments
Maria xxx
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