sets the standards that all early years providers must meet to ensure that children learn and develop well
ensures children are kept healthy and safe
ensures that children have the knowledge and skills they need to start school
This statutory framework is for:
school leaders
school staff
childcare providers
childminders
out-of-school providers
It relates to:
local-authority-maintained schools
non-maintained schools (schools not maintained by a local authority)
independent schools
academies and free schools
nurseries
private nursery schools
pre-schools/playgroups
childminding
Supporting material is available on the Foundation Years website.
Statutory guidance is issued by law. You must follow it unless there is a good reason not to do so.
Published 31 March 2014 Last updated 4 September 2023 +show all updates
Updated to highlight that the new statutory framework for the early years foundation stage applies from 4 September 2023. Removed the previous version.
Added new version of 'Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage' which applies from 4 September 2023. The following 3 changes will apply: the current statutory minimum staff:child ratios in England for 2-year-olds changes from 1:4 to 1:5; childminders can care for more than the specified maximum of three young children if they are caring for siblings of children they already care for, or if the childminder is caring for their own child; clarifying that 'adequate supervision' while children are eating means that children must be within sight and hearing of an adult.
Updated to make it clear that the new statutory framework for the early years foundation stage applies from 1 September 2021. Removed the previous version and the early years foundation stage coronavirus disapplications as they are no longer in force.
Updated 'Early years foundation stage: coronavirus disapplications' with link to the current version of Ofsteds early years inspection handbook, and clarification of dates disapplications can be used.
Updated as inspections of early years providers resume on 4 May, the disapplications to the early years foundation stage profile are in force (and no longer subject to parliamentary approval), and paediatric first aid practitioners must attend requalification training to renew expired certificates.
Added a new statutory framework for the early years foundation stage which applies from 1 September 2021. Until then, the current framework applies.
Added guidance on the 2021 early years foundation stage profile (EYFSP) assessment and paediatric first aid (PFA)?certificate requalification training.
Updated 'Early years foundation stage: coronavirus disapplications' with a link to Ofsted's operational notes, which set out in further detail, how providers will be inspected from January 2021. Provided further clarity on the definition of 'reasonable endeavours'.
Amended 'Early years foundation stage: coronavirus disapplications' to remove reference to the original transition period and the PFA certification extensions, both which ended on 25 November 2020.
Amended the content on early years foundation stage coronavirus disapplications to reflect the updated arrangements that were put in place from 26 September 2020, and national restrictions.
Updated 'early years foundation stage: coronavirus disapplications' to reflect that the original disapplications ended on 25 September and the new regulations which came into force on the 26 September.
Updated to reflect new regulations which allow temporary coronavirus (COVID-19) disapplications to re-apply if a provider is prevented from
