The government's 'Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)' sets legal standards for the learning, development, and care of children from birth to five years old.
All schools and registered early-years providers, including childminders, pre-schools, nurseries and school reception classes, must follow the EYFS.
It gives professionals a set of common principles and commitments to deliver high-quality early education and childcare to all children. And it gives parents and carers the confidence that they'll get, by law, the same commitment wherever their child goes.
The EYFS and children with special educational needs or disabilities
The EYFS describes the arrangements that must be in place to identify and support children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).
Early years providers should use a graduated approach: providing appropriate activities and support for individual children according to their needs. If a child has greater difficulties than others in learning and developing skills, and the gap is widening, they may need SEND support.
Most children won't usually need additional funding at this stage: the provider should be able to use effective strategies and interventions to make a positive impact. The Oldham Early Years Inclusion Framework can support this.
In order to support early years providers to meet the legal requirements, Oldham Local Authority have worked collaboratively with key agencies to develop the Local Area Inclusion Framework and Graduated Response Toolkit.