Guidance

EYFSP return: technical specification

Specification for software suppliers and local authorities preparing for the early years foundation stage profile (EYFSP) 2024 data return.

From:
Department for Education
Published
27 January 2023
Last updated
13 March 2024 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

Early years foundation stage profile 2024: technical specification

PDF, 291 KB, 26 pages

Details

This specification is for:

  • suppliers developing software for use in management information systems
  • local authorities collecting and submitting data for the 2024 EYFSP data return

It explains:

  • the business rationale for the return
  • changes for the 2024 return
  • methods for importing data into local authority information systems
  • how to prepare and submit the data in XML format
  • the validation rules that DfE will apply to the data

You should read this guide alongside the common basic data set (CBDS). This defines common data items that we use in our data collections.

More guidance on submitting data to complete the EYFSP return is available.

Published 27 January 2023
Last updated 13 March 2024 + show all updates

  1. Updated for 2024.

  2. Added an updated version of the 'Early years foundation stage profile 2023: technical specification'. Changes are in the version history.

  3. First published.