Changes are on the horizon as the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework undergoes adjustments, set to take effect from January 4, 2024. As always we like to keep you well-informed and prepared, so we've compiled a comprehensive guide addressing the key modifications relevant to your role in early years provision.
Please note that all information pertains specifically to early years provision in England.
For All Providers:
Tailored Frameworks for Different Providers:
The Department for Education (DfE) is set to create two versions of the EYFS Framework – one tailored for childminders and another for group and school-based providers. This ensures that content remains relevant and applicable to each setting.
Language Development Emphasis:
Recognising the diverse linguistic backgrounds of children, a subtle but important change is coming. Providers will now have the flexibility to support language development in children whose home language is not English. This is a ‘Must’ to ‘May’ change:
The current version of the EYFS states: “For children whose home language is not English, providers must take reasonable steps to provide opportunities for children to develop and use their home language in play and learning, supporting their language development at home”.
The 2024 document will be amended to: “For children whose home language is not English, providers may take reasonable steps to provide opportunities for children to develop and use their home language in play and learning, supporting their language development at home”.
Streamlined Assessment Practices:
The upcoming changes emphasise a shift in assessing a child's developmental level. Practitioners and childminders will be empowered to rely on their knowledge and professional judgment, eliminating the need for extensive physical evidence collection. The current EYFS states that: ‘When assessing whether an individual child is at the expected level of development, practitioners should draw on their knowledge of the child and their own expert professional judgement and should not be required to prove this through collection of physical evidence.’
The 2024 document will be amended to: “When assessing whether an individual child is at the expected level of development, [practitioners/childminders] should draw on their knowledge of the child and their own expert professional judgement. [Practitioners/Childminders] are not required to prove this through collection of any physical evidence.”
Enhanced Safeguarding Policies:
Safeguarding policies will now explicitly cover "other electronic devices with imaging and sharing capabilities." This clarification aims to address contemporary challenges and ensure a comprehensive approach to safeguarding.
The EYFS currently states that: “The safeguarding policy and procedures must include an explanation of the action to be taken when there are safeguarding concerns about a child and in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff and cover the use of mobile phones and cameras in the setting."
This will be amended to: “other electronic devices with imaging and sharing capabilities" to this requirement, alongside clarifications to aid understanding of the current requirement.
Qualification Standards Documentation:
The DfE will publish a qualification standards document, consolidating information on Level 2 Early Years Practitioner and Level 3 Early Years Educator criteria. This technical change aims to make information more accessible to those seeking clarity on early years qualification standards.
Group Settings Exclusive Changes:
Qualification Requirements for Managers:
A notable change for group settings involves the removal of the Level 2 maths qualification requirement for Level 3 educators. Setting managers employed on or after 4 January 2024 must hold a Level 2 maths qualification, or they must achieve this within two years of their start date in the manager role.
"the change impacts the requirements set out in the EYFS framework only, and has no bearing on apprenticeship End Point Assessment requirements".
Flexibility in Staff:Child Ratios:
Group settings will see increased flexibility in staff:child ratios for students on long-term placements and apprentices, provided their competence and responsibility are affirmed by their manager. Students on long-term placements and apprentices may be counted in staff:child ratios at the level below their level of study, where their manager deems them competent and responsible. This may mean a Level 3 apprentice could count within the Level 2 staff:child ratios, or a Level 6 trainee could be brought into the Level 3 staff:child ratios as long as they have been deemed competent to do so.
Paediatric First Aid (PFA) Requirement:
A clarification will be added to explicitly state that all staff with Level 2 and/or Level 3 qualifications since June 30, 2016, must hold a valid PFA qualification to be included in required staff:child ratios.
Digital Qualification Verification:
The EYFS will clarify that while qualifications must be verified, physical copies are not mandatory. This change aims to address issues related to the refusal of digital copies in some settings.
Childminder Specific Changes:
Training Requirement Adjustment:
Childminder applicants will no longer need to complete formal training but must demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the EYFS.
Role Expansion for Childminding Assistants:
Childminding assistants can now be a key person, with the childminder assessing their suitability for the position.
Space Requirements Clarity:
Clarifications are introduced regarding areas not considered in space requirements, specifically in kitchens, emphasising usable areas excluding storage spaces and dedicated staff areas.
Confidential Consultation Spaces:
The requirement for a confidential consultation area will be updated to ensure childminders can make such spaces available upon request. The EYFS currently states, “Providers must also ensure that there is an area where staff may talk to parents and/or carers confidentially”. This will be changed to: “Childminders must ensure […] on request, they can make available an area where they may talk to parents and/or carers confidentially […]”
ELGs Moved to an Annex:
Early Learning Goals (ELGs) for childminders will be moved to an annex, emphasising their use as part of the EYFS Profile assessment.
Assessment Section Amendments:
The Assessment section in the EYFS Framework for childminders will be significantly amended, including the removal of paragraphs related to information provided to local authorities.
Shared Responsibility for Childminders:
In cases where childminders work together, each childminder holds a shared responsibility for the well-being of all children present. “In the case of childminders working together, each childminder is responsible for meeting the requirements of their own registration. Childminders must know that they have a shared responsibility when working together for the well-being of all the children present. Therefore, where childminders work together, each childminder also has a responsibility to refer any concerns where another childminder does not continually meet the requirements of their registration” and “Childminders must know how to contact the local statutory children’s services, and the LSP (local safeguarding partners).”
Suitability Checks Clarification:
A nuanced change emphasises the suitability of childminders, assistants, and any person with regular contact with children. Ofsted or a childminder's CMA will be responsible for checking this suitability. The EYFS currently states: “Providers must have effective systems in place to ensure that practitioners, and any other person who may have regular contact with children (including those living or working on the premises), are suitable”.
This will be changed to: “Childminders and any assistants must be suitable; they must have the relevant qualifications, training and have passed any required checks to fulfil their roles. Any person who may have regular contact with children (for example, someone living or working on the same premises where the childminding is being provided), must also be suitable.” and “Ofsted, or a childminder’s CMA, is responsible for checking the suitability of childminders, any other person looking after children in the setting, and of any other person aged 16 and over living or working on the same premises the childminding is being provided.”
PFA Certificate Display Changes:
The requirement to display paediatric first aid (PFA) certificates and the certificate of registration will be removed, allowing childminders to make these available on request and display them digitally.
Navigating these changes is essential for maintaining the high standards of early years provision. As we step into this new phase, stay informed, and embrace the opportunities for growth and improvement that these adjustments bring. As always, please reach out to us if you need any further clarity!