Guidance

Early years foundation stage profile return

Guide for local authorities and schools submitting early years foundation stage profile data for 2026.

• From: Department for Education
• Published: 19 April 2023
• Last updated: 18 March 2026
  Show all updates

  1. 18 March 2026

     Updated 'Early years foundation stage profile return guide' with information for the 2026 return.

  2. 6 February 2025

     'Early years foundation stage profile return guide' updated with information for the 2025 return.

  3. 13 March 2024

     Updated for 2024.

  4. 19 April 2023

     First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Early years foundation stage profile return guide

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Details

Explains how local authorities and schools should submit data for 2026.

It includes:

• which schools are in the scope of the collection
• which pupils are in the scope of the collection
• which data needs to be submitted
• a data collection timetable
• data reporting formats
• recording and reporting options

Dates for the 2026 return:

• collection opens: Monday 1 June 2026
• deadline for submitting data: Friday 10 July 2026
• final date to correct any errors: Friday 31 July 2026