As a starting point for your knowledge, we’ve put together 10 useful facts about the Early Years Foundation Stage (also known as EYFS) to start you on your journey into childcare.

1. Early Years Foundation Stage

2. 1. Most nurseries and pre-
schools in the UK follow the
Early Years Foundation
Stage (EYFS) curriculum

3. 2.The EYFS sets standards
for the learning, development
and care of children from birth
to 5 years old

4. 3. It was introduced in
September 2007, combining
the Foundation Stage
curriculum and Birth to Three
Matters

5. 4. The EYFS curriculum aims
to secure a foundation for all
children to make good
progress through school and
life

6. 5. There are 3 prime areas of
learning within the EYFS and
4 specific areas of learning

7. 6. All schools and Ofsted-
registered early years
providers must follow the
EYFS, including
childminders, pre-schools,
nurseries and school
reception classes

8. 7. Between the ages of 2 and
3, practitioners are expected
to do a progress check and
write a summary of the child’s
development against the
prime areas

9. 8. There is a strong focus
within the EYFS framework on
partnership working between
practitioners and with parents
and/or carers

10. 9. In the final term of the year
in which the child reaches age
5, an EYFS Profile must be
completed. The profile provides
carers and teachers with a
picture of a child’s abilities and
their readiness for Year 1

11. 10.The framework aims to
make sure that all children
have reached a similar level
of education by the time they
begin the National Curriculum
(after age 5)