Early years foundation stage
The early years foundation stage is a framework that all early years providers, including childminders, nurseries and pre-schools, follow. It sets standards and key areas of focus for your children’s development and learning up to the age of five when they enter key stage one.
There are three prime areas of focus within the curriculum and four specific areas of learning. All of these are split into early learning goals (ELG).
Early years providers should be making sure that they meet every child’s needs in these areas.
Progress checks
Health and development review
A health and development review is carried out by your health visitor in your child’s home environment and is part of the government’s Healthy Child Programme. It is carried out between the ages of two and two-and-a-half.
Early years foundation stage progress check
Early years providers (childminders, nurseries and other settings) must carry out a progress check at age two. This will assess your child’s progress and identify strengths and any areas of concern. They will discuss your child’s progress with you and you will also get a written report.
If a setting is concerned about your child’s progress, they will request permission from you to discuss this with the health visiting team and possibly consider an integrated review.
Integrated review
An integrated review combines the early years foundation stage progress check and the health and development review and allows the health visiting team and early years practitioners to work together with you to best identify your child’s needs and get a clear picture of their progress.
The early years and foundation stage profile
The early years and foundation stage (EYFS) profile summarises and describes children’s achievements and progress. The EYFS profile assessment happens in the final term of the year your child turns 5, and no later than 29 June in that term. It gives:
- the child’s levels of attainment in relation to the 17 ELGs detailed in the early years foundation stage
- a short narrative describing the child’s three characteristics of effective learning – playing and exploring, active learning and creating and thinking critically
Practitioners’ assessments are mainly based on observing your child’s daily activities and events. They look for the learning that your child demonstrates spontaneously, independently and consistently in a range of contexts.