Governance Today Summer 2021

EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION STAGE REFORMS The early learning goals should not be used as a curriculum, they should be used as an assessment during the summer term of the reception year. The EYFS reforms have been piloted and consulted on and over 3,000 schools, including 40 schools from Devon, are currently taking part in an early adopter year. The Babcock Early Years Consultants have held regular meetings with the early adopter teachers who have shared their thoughts: “It has been a breath of fresh air”, “We have benefited from having more time interacting with the children” “It has been great to meet with my SLT and share information and talk about the children without reams of data”. The government has reformed the EYFS framework to transform early year’s curriculum and assessment, focusing on what matters most for children’s outcomes. A strong and holistic curriculum that puts early language at its heart There is a focus on early language development and vocabulary throughout the new EYFS framework as there is a national target on improving early language and literacy for all children. Vocabulary is recognised as a key indicator of children’s success in school and in later life. In 2018, a national target was set for 86% of reception children to achieve the early learning goals in Communication, Language and Literacy by 2028. At the time, Devon LA achieved 72.6% on this measure (ranked joint 69/152). The new early years foundation stage (EYFS) framework w as published on the 31 March 2021 and should be used by all Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) providers in England from September 2021. These reforms to the EYFS have been a number of years in the making. The aim is to strengthen the early year’s curriculum, assessment and practice, to improve outcomes for all children and close the gap for disadvantaged children. This is particularly crucial in light of the current pandemic. The changes were developed with childhood development experts using the latest evidence on what is most important for supporting the learning and development of our youngest children. Changes to the educational programmes Educational programmes are the seven areas of learning and development which must shape the activities and experiences that children have in an early years school or setting, at all ages. Each school or setting should use the educational programmes to decide the approach to curriculum that is right for them. Changes have been made to the wording in the educational programmes. Specifically, this means: • They are longer, there is more depth, and they contain examples of things that EYFS practitioners and teachers do with children • There is a new focus on early language and extending vocabulary, with more examples on how to embed and develop vocabulary skills across all 7 areas of learning and development, because this improves overall child development through a broad curriculum. Changes to the early learning goals (ELGs) The early learning goals summarise the knowledge, skills and understanding that all young children should have gained by the end of the academic year in which they turn 5, the reception year. Pre-reception providers do not need to use the early learning goals, but the changes are included in the EYFS framework for practitioners to understand a child’s expected level of development by the time they turn 5. Reduction in workload A reduced workload for staff is envisaged through a streamlined and effective process, with a revised EYFS profile (EYFSP) and removal of statutory local authority moderation, which will reduce unnecessary workload and cement the EYFSP as a tool that is designed to support children’s transition into year 1. Spending time interacting with the children, rather than documenting evidence of learning and analysing data, is a key thread throughout the EYFS reforms. Relationships with parents and the two way flow of information remains important. A new requirement to support good oral health This could include talking to children and parents about the importance of brushing teeth, a healthy balanced diet, not eating sugary foods throughout the day and discouraging bottle feeding from 12 months. This year has been a particularly difficult and challenging time for the early years sector, with children’s learning being disrupted across all ages. The intended aims of the reforms will provide a powerful basis for supporting children’s wellbeing through and beyond COVID-19. Throughout the summer term, the Babcock Early Years Consultants are providing a wide range of training to prepare schools and settings for the implementation of the EYFS Framework in September 2021, including information specifically to support governors and trustees. There is a focus on early language development and vocabulary “ The aim is to strengthen the early year’s curriculum, assessment and practice, to improve outcomes for all children and close the gap for disadvantaged children “ 4 Governance Today