Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

'Birth to 5' is a non-statutory guidance published by 'Early Education' and is used by Early Years professionals, specifically those caring for children 0-5. I use Birth to 5 mostly to observe and assess the children in my care. This guidance offers a wider and more detailed description of the EYFS 'Seven Areas of Learning' and 'the Characteristics of Effective Learning (CoEL).

'Development Matters' is a non-statutory guidance published by the Department for Education (DfE) and is used mainly by Early Years professionals working in schools. I refer to this guidance for certain aspects if I feel it necessary. This guidance is a little simpler and has less detail.

This statutory guidance is mandatory for all Early Years Childminders. Childminders are inspected and regulated by Ofsted. This statutory framework sets the standards and requirements that all Early Years Childminders must follow in England.