Two documents have been published to support the implementation of the Statutory EYFS Framework. They are both non-statutory and schools and settings can decide how to use them either individually or in tandem, to best support their practice and provision.

Ofsted do not inspect against any particular non-statutory curriculum guidance document.

“Inspectors do not expect to see documentation other than that set out in the EYFS framework. They will use the evidence gathered from discussions and observations to judge the overall quality of the curriculum provided for children.” (Ofsted 2023)

Birth to Five Matters – Non-statutory guidance for the EYFS

Development Matters – DfE Non-statutory curriculum guidance for the early years foundation stage

The Characteristics of Effective Learning and Teaching

In planning and guiding what children learn, practitioners must reflect on the different rates at which children are developing and adjust their practice appropriately. Three characteristics of effective teaching and learning are:

• playing and exploring – children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’
• active learning – children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties, and enjoy achievements
• creating and thinking critically – children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things

The Bristol Characteristics of Effective Learning toolkit can support all settings in implementation of the characteristics through practice and provision.