Guidance

Exemptions from the EYFS for providers and individual children

What early years settings must do to apply for an exemption from the early years foundation stage (EYFS).

From:
Department for Education
Published
9 October 2023

Applies to England

Documents

Early years foundation stage (EYFS) guidance on exemptions

PDF, 270 KB, 22 pages

Independent schools template: exemption from the EYFS learning and development requirements

ODT, 9.96 KB

This file is in an OpenDocument format

EYFS exemption application form: established principles route

ODT, 9.04 KB

This file is in an OpenDocument format

Details

This guidance explains when exemptions to the early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework apply.

We can grant exemptions against the learning and development and assessment requirements of the EYFS for:

  • registered independent schools
  • providers with established principles in conflict with the EYFS
  • individual children when their family has religious or philosophical beliefs that cannot be reconciled with the EYFS

This guidance outlines the conditions which must be met for individual and provider exemptions to be granted and how the different processes work.

Published 9 October 2023