Summary of changes for group and school-based providers
Updated 19 January 2024
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2024
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2/summary-of-changes-for-group-and-school-based-providers-applies-from-4-january-2024
Summary of changes for group and school-based providers, since the previous issued framework.
Group and school-based settings must:
- ensure setting managers appointed on or after 4 January 2024 hold a level 2 maths qualification, or they achieve one within 2 years of starting in the position (Section 3, Staff:child ratios)
- ensure your setting’s safeguarding policies and procedures include all electronic devices with imaging and sharing capabilities, not just mobile phones and cameras (Section 3, Safeguarding policies and procedures)
- ensure all level 2 and level 3 staff members who gained their qualification since June 2016, hold a valid paediatric first aid (PFA) certificate, otherwise they cannot be included in ratio (Section 3, Paediatric first aid)
Group and school-based settings may wish to consider applying the following flexibilities, if appropriate:
- level 3 practitioners in group and school-based settings will no longer be required to hold a level 2 maths qualification to count within staff:child ratios (Section 3, Staff:child ratios)
- a manager in group and school-based settings can now allow students and apprentices to count in staff:child ratios at the level below their level of study, if the manager is satisfied that they are competent and responsible (Section 3, Staff:child ratios)
- settings may provide opportunities for children to develop and use their home language in play and learning, previously this requirement stated this ‘must’ be done (Section 1, English as an Additional Language)
Group and school-based settings should also be aware that the following updates have been made to the EYFS:
- there is a new statutory document on early years qualification requirements and standards
- the language has been changed to clarify that physical evidence does not need to be collected for assessments (Section 2, Assessment)
- a clarification made that while qualifications must be verified, employees do not have to provide physical copies of their qualifications (Section 3, Suitable people)
- a clarification made on the wording on the validity of paediatric first aid (PFA) certificates (Section 3, Paediatric first aid)