Early Years Foundation Stage statutory

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework is mandatory for all childminders and group and school based early years and childcare providers in England.

There are 2 statutory EYFS statutory frameworks:

A summary of any changes made to the statutory framework for childminders since the initial framework was published can also be found on GOV.UK.

A summary of any changes made to the statutory framework for group and school-based providers since the initial framework was published can also be found on GOV.UK.  

Providers are responsible for ensuring they follow the current version of the framework for their provider type.

The EYFS statutory framework covers the:

  • learning and development requirements
  • assessment
  • safeguarding and welfare requirement

Ofsted are the regulators of all early years and childcare provision.

You can find more information about legislation and regulation on our web pages.

Statutory framework for providers

  • Out of school providers who care for children aged 5 to 16 years (or up to 18 for children with special educational needs or disabilities), before and/or after school, or during the school holidays, do not need to meet or be guided by the learning and assessment requirements.

    Out of school providers who offer this type of care to children under the age of 5, who do not attend a reception class, must follow the learning and assessment requirements in these sections.

    All providers that provide care for children aged 0 to 5 must meet safeguarding and welfare requirements.

    Out of school providers should refer to the EYFS statutory framework for group and school-based providers, unless they are operating as a childminder.

     

  • Childminders who only provide care for children aged 5 to 16 years (or up to 18 for children with special educational needs or disabilities), before and/or after school, or during the school holidays, do not need to meet the learning and assessment requirements in section 1 and 2 of the statutory guidance.

    If a childminder provides this type of care for children under the age of 5, who do not attend a reception class, they must follow the learning and assessment requirements in these sections.

    Childminder agencies

    Guidance for anyone wanting to register and operate as a childminder agency (CMA) can be found on GOV.UK. The document covers the legal requirements and other issues to consider for anyone registering or operating as a childminder agency.

    Ofsted carry out inspections of Ofsted-registered childminders. CMAs carry out quality assurance visits of CMA-registered childminders. They both assess how childminders meet and deliver the EYFS statutory framework and report on the quality and standards of the childminder’s early years provision.

  • Group-based providers are providers registered with Ofsted and operating on non-domestic premises.

    There are separate documents for childminders and for group and school-based providers which can be found on GOV.UK.