Early Years Foundation Stage - Statutory and non-statutory guidance:

Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Guidance provides an overview of regulatory information in terms of welfare, care and education which supports early years practice and provision. Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage (publishing.service.gov.uk) ( March 2021).

The learning and development requirements:

There are seven areas of learning and development that must shape educational programmes in early years settings. All areas of learning and development are important and inter-connected. The educational programmes are detailed in the Statutory Guidance.

Three areas are particularly important for building a foundation for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, forming relationships and thriving.

These are the prime areas:

• communication and language

• physical development

• personal, social and emotional development

Providers must also support children in four specific areas, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied. The specific areas are:

• literacy

• mathematics

• understanding the world

• expressive arts and design

• Development Matters and Birth to Five Matters. Non-statutory guidance to support practitioners in planning and assessing children’s learning and development.
• What To Expect in the Early Years Foundation Stage. A guide for parents.
• Early years inspection handbook for Ofsted-registered provision.