EYFS Framework
The Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage
The Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets the standards for promoting the learning, development and safety of children from birth to five years in Ofsted registered settings. The EYFS lays down the legal requirements that early years providers must meet, including:
● Learning and development requirements: specific areas of learning and development which shape the activities and experiences.
● Assessment requirements: how we measure children’s progress and feedback to parents or carers.
● Safeguarding and welfare requirements: what we must do to keep children safe and promote their welfare.
The Three Prime Areas
The learning and development requirements cover three prime areas, which are considered particularly important for stimulating children’s interest in learning, and in building relationships:
Communication & Language
Providing children with opportunities to experience a rich language environment, develop confidence and skills in expressing themselves, and speak and listen in a range of situations.
Physical Development
Providing opportunities for young children to be active and interactive, develop their coordination, control, and movement, understand the importance of physical activity, and make healthy choices about food.
Personal, Social & Emotional Development
Helping children develop a positive sense of themselves and others, form positive relationships and respect for others, develop social skills, learn how to manage their feelings, understand appropriate behaviour in groups, and gain confidence in their own abilities.
The three prime areas are supported and enriched by four specific areas of learning: literacy, mathematics, understanding the world, and expressive arts and design. These areas are closely interconnected, with progress in one area reinforcing and enhancing learning in others.
At Devon Nurseries, we thoughtfully interweave all seven areas to deepen children’s knowledge and understanding, while maintaining a strong emphasis on the prime areas as the foundation for learning. For example, when children engage in number games, they are not only developing mathematical skills but also learning to take turns, cooperate, and build positive relationships with their peers.
Assessment Requirements
To ensure successful learning, our early years educators carefully observe children to identify their interests, understand how they learn best, and monitor their progress across all areas of learning and development.
By reflecting on these observations, we are able to plan meaningful and personalised learning experiences that support each child’s individual needs and next steps. As part of the assessment process, parents and carers are encouraged to share their own observations of their child’s progress through Famly, helping us to build a fuller picture of each child’s development.
Progress Checks
Assessment is an ongoing process; but, there are times when it is a statutory requirement to provide a summary of how children are developing in relation to expected levels of progress for their age.
Under the EYFS, it is a requirement to review children’s progress between the ages of two and three. This integrated review involves early years practitioners, health visitors and parents sharing their knowledge and understanding of the child to provide an overall picture of the child’s development and take joint decisions on any specific support necessary.
Safeguarding & Welfare Requirements
At Devon Nurseries, we take all reasonable steps to keep children safe and well. The EYFS requires early years providers to show consideration of the following 10 areas of safeguarding and welfare:
● Child Protection: Remaining vigilant to any concerns in a child’s life and following safeguarding policies and procedures at all times.
● Suitable People: Ensuring all staff and regular visitors are appropriately vetted and suitable to work with children.
● Staff Qualifications, Training and Skills: Making sure staff are well-qualified, knowledgeable, and fully supported in their roles.
● Key Person: Assigning a named staff member to build strong relationships with each child and their family, meeting individual needs.
● Staff–Child Ratios: Maintaining appropriate ratios to ensure children are well supervised at all times.
● Health: Promoting children’s health and following clear procedures for illness, infection control, food, drink, and accidents.
● Managing Behaviour: Using positive and consistent strategies to guide and manage behaviour.
● Safety and Suitability of Premises, Environment and Equipment: Ensuring all indoor and outdoor spaces are safe, age-appropriate, and fit for purpose.
● Special Educational Needs: Putting effective arrangements in place to support children with SEND in line with the SEND Code of Practice.
● Information and Records: Keeping accurate records and sharing information appropriately with parents and professionals to support children’s needs.
You can find out more about the Early Years Foundation Stage here: