Standards and guidance for childcare providers

Contents

  1. Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage
  2. Supporting providers to understand the implications of 30 hours free childcare
  3. Early Years Inspection Handbook

Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage

Setting the standards for learning, development and care for children from birth to five.

This framework is mandatory for all early years providers in England (from April 2017). This includes:

  • Council run schools
  • Non-Council run schools
  • Independent schools 
  • All providers on the Early Years Register
  • All providers registered with an early years childminder or agency

This document covers key areas including:

  • an introduction to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
  • overarching principles that should shape practice in early years settings 
  • the learning and development requirements
  • assessment
  • safeguarding and welfare requirements

This stautory framework remains in force until futher notice.

 View the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework


Supporting providers to understand the implications of 30 hours free childcare

This document below provides support to providers to understand the implications of 30 hours free childcare and other support (such as Tax-free childcare) to reduce the cost of childcare when business planning.

This document was provided by Hempsall's, a company who support everyone to make a success of early years and childcare policy.

View support for providers to understand the implications of 30 hours free childcare


Early Years Inspection Handbook

The link below contains Ofsted guidance on inspecting registered early years and childcare providers under the education inspection framework.

GOV.UK: Early Years Inspection Handbook