Disapplication of EYFS framework requirements

The Government has temporarily disapplied and modified some of the requirements of the EYFS framework - see statutory guidance “Early years foundation stage: coronavirus disapplications” for the full details. Key changes are summarised below.

Two requirements have been entirely removed:

1. Progress check at age 2

2. Early Years Foundation Stage Profile for the academic year 2019/2020

And the following requirements have been relaxed:

1. Learning & development requirements– changed from being something providers ‘must do’ to something they should use ‘reasonable endeavours’ to do.

2. Ratio qualification requirements – whilst the ratiosstay the same, exceptions can be made to the qualifications that staff hold in order to be counted in ratios. See guidance for further details.

3. Paediatric first aid (PFA) certificate requirementsfor settings with children aged 2-5 - providers must use their ‘best endeavours’ to ensure one person with a full PFA certificate is on-site when children are present. If unable to ensure this they must carry out a written risk assessment and ensure that someone with a current First Aid at Work or emergency PFA certification is on site.

4. New entrants (levels 2 and 3) - will not need to hold a PFA certificate within their first 3 months in order to be counted in staff ratios.

5. PFA certificate renewal training- if prevented for reasons associated directly with COVID-19, or by complying with related government advice, certificates expiring on or after 16 March 2020 can be extended by up to 3 months.

All changes apply until the Government directs otherwise.

Response to Government 'Plan B' announcement

10 December 2021

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