Guidance

EYFS learning and development requirements: exemptions for children

What early years settings need to do to disapply or modify some aspects of the early years foundation stage (EYFS) for an individual child.

Applies to England

Documents

Details

The early years foundation stage (EYFS) is the statutory framework which sets the standards that all early years providers must meet to ensure that children from birth to age 5 develop well and are kept healthy and safe.

The framework is flexible enough to accommodate a range of good early years practice, but there may be instances where a family’s religious or philosophical convictions cannot be reconciled with one or more of the learning and development requirements of the EYFS. For these cases there is a process available which enables early years providers to consider modifying or exempting one or more learning and development requirements for a child where their family requests it.

Published 5 August 2012
Last updated 28 June 2017 + show all updates
  1. Updated links to current regulations and other guidance documents. The exemptions guidance has not changed the application of exemptions.

  2. First published.