The Department for Education (DfE) has today published its response to the early years foundation stage (EYFS) reforms consultation. The goal of the reforms is to improve outcomes for all children and reduce workload.
You can find a summary of the consultation response and a table of changes here.
In October 2019, DfE launched a public consultation seeking views on changes to the EYFS statutory framework. The consultation has concluded with the following changes made:
- Revisions to the educational programmes;
- Revisions to the early learning goals;
- Removal of the statutory duty for local authorities to externally moderate EYFS profile judgements;
- Removal of the ‘exceeding’ judgement criteria from the EYFS profile;
- Change to the safeguarding and welfare requirements to promote good oral health.
At the time of publication of the consultation response, the EYFS learning and development and the EYFS profile requirements have been disapplied for the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak.
DfE have also published the framework and EYFS profile handbook for schools participating in the EYFS reforms early adopter year from September 2020 to August 2021.
Next steps
The revised EYFS framework will be introduced on a statutory basis from September 2021. Some schools have volunteered to adopt the new framework from September 2020.
More detailed non-statutory curriculum guidance is being developed separately through an update of ‘Development Matters’. Foundation Years will be hosting a video podcast in due course.