Responding to the Government announcement today of a review into the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), Anne Longfield OBE, Chief Executive of 4Children said: “Progress made in the early years is crucial in helping children to achieve their full potential. Initial fears that the introduction of EYFS would cause chaos have not been realised. In fact, it has been welcomed by professionals and parents who recognise that it has improved the quality of early years education and benefit from important information about how children are developing.The personalised approach to care and learning that the EYFS provides is particularly important for disadvantaged children who can too easily fall behind. We welcome the review of the EYFS as it will reveal the many of these strengths. However, it is right that we continue to look for ways to build on the progress that has been made since its launch. It is important that bureaucracy is kept to a minimum and that the EYFS is workable in all childcare settings. What will
be important now will be building the capacity of the workforce to deliver it.”

Children’s Minister, Sarah Teather, will today ask by Dame Clare Tickell, Chief Executive of Action for Children to carry out a review into the Early Years Foundation Stage. Dame Clare will provide a final report in spring 2011. The Government will then consult on any proposed changes before they take effect from September 2012.

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Edior's Notes

For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Julie Evans, 4Children on 0791 787 0641 / Julie.Evans@4Children.org.uk

4Children

4Children is the national charity all about children and families. 4Children develops, influences and shapes national policy on all aspects of children, young people and families lives and works with a wide range of partners to deliver real support for children and families in their community.

4Children has spearheaded a joined up, integrated approach to children’s services which puts the needs of the most vulnerable at the centre. It is the one of the largest not for profit Children’s Centre providers in the country and also runs and supports out of school programmes and the new next generation ‘myplace’ youth hubs

The Review into the EYFS will cover four main areas:

• Scope of regulation – whether there should be one single framework for all early years providers;
• Learning and development – looking at the latest evidence about children’s development and what is needed to give them the best start at school;
• Assessment – whether young children’s development should be formally assessed, at a certain age, and what this should cover;
• Welfare – the minimum standards to keep children safe and support their healthy development.
  
  

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