Early Years Toolkit
New! The Early Years Toolkit created to help you with queries, new processes and more.
EYFS Framework
From the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2017) document... '
- Every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to fulfil their potential. Children develop quickly in the early years and a child’s experiences between birth and age five have a major impact on their future life chances. A secure, safe and happy childhood is important in its own right. Good parenting and high quality early learning together provide the foundation children need to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow up.
- The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets the standards that all early years providers must meet to ensure that children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. It promotes teaching and learning to ensure children’s ‘school readiness’ and gives children the broad range of knowledge and skills that provide the right foundation for good future progress through school and life.'
Supporting learning and development
Foster carers and social workers have a vital role in raising the academic attainment of looked after children.
The early stages of child development are crucially important. At this foundation stage we need to make sure that our children aged 0-5 years receive as much opportunity as possible to develop, grow and flourish. These early stages of education are the foundations for further progress and development.
Find out where your local children’s centre is.
- How to apply for funded childcare places for 2-year-olds (Think 2)
- How to apply for funded childcare places for 3 & 4-year-olds
Further information
Please see the document below:
More information is on the childcare and early years pages.
Below is a presentation delivered to foster carers by Sarah Rivers, Headteacher of Staffordshire’s Virtual School for Looked After Children.
The presentation references the importance of promoting the development of children 0 – 5 years old.
One of the Virtual Schools' 'Closing the Gap' priorities is to promote the engagement of our early years children and their foster carers with early years services to support improved developmental outcomes.
See the Foundation Years website for additional information.
Personal Education Plan (PEP)
This is part of the care plan. It is the primary planning tool for ensuring looked after children receive a cohesive and comprehensive education. It is the 'golden thread' that links educational experiences and ensures that the child that you are responsible for gets the best possible education.
Referenced in Promoting the Education of Looked After Children: July 2014, DfE Statutory Guidance.
Please note: personal education plans are required for looked after children in the early years attending childcare provision.
If you are concerned regarding a looked after child’s development and you feel you’d like additional support and advice, please contact the Virtual School.
Early Years Pupil Premium Plus
Looked after children accessing 3 and 4-year-old free nursery education are eligible for £300 pupil premium plus per year. How it is used can be considered as part of the personal education plan process.
Foundation Years
From the Foundation Years website...
'In June 2015, the government introduced the Childcare Bill to bring in 30 hours of free childcare for employed families of 3 and 4-year-olds. We will be hosting all resources from the DfE on this childcare offer as they are made available.'