The revised framework-key updates

Since the introduction of the EYFS into practice in 2008, the framework has undergone  several revisions to keep up-to date with government policy changes and to continuously strive to improve outcomes for all children. All revisions made to the EYFS are statutory and must be implemented into practice. This will result in changes to daily practice, policies, and procedures. Therefore, it is imperative that you understand the revisions made to the framework and what it means for you in your practice. The government has recently published the revised version of the EYFS (DfE, 2023) and within it comes three key updates:

Staff: Child ratios

The first and most significant update to come of the 2023 revised EYFS surrounds the staff:childt ratio for two-year olds. Until the 4^th of September, the current statutory requirement for the  staff: child ratio for two-year old  children is 1:4. However, the revised framework has confirmed that the statutory minimum staff: child ratios in nurseries and pre-schools in England for two-year-olds will change to 1:5.

The change to the staff: child ratio for two-year olds was previously proposed earlier in the year, however, it was met with mixed responses across the early years sector. While some professionals welcomed the change to ratios, others condemned it, expressing concerns over the potential impact it could have upon meeting individual children’s learning and development needs.

Childminder ratios

The second key update brings clarity on how many children child minders can care for, adding flexibility around caring for their own children and the siblings of other children they already care for. Currently, child minder ratios state that each adult can care for a maximum of six children under the age of eight years old, with a maximum of three children under the age of five, with no more than one child being under the age of one. This ratio remains in place within the revised EYFS, however, from the 4^th of September 2023, the childminder: child ratio can be exceeded if they are caring for their own children, siblings of children already in their care or if children are aged between three and five years old and only attend the child-minding setting before or after school and/or during school holidays.

However, the revision comes with a stipulation that a child minder needs to be able to demonstrate to parents/carers and Ofsted inspectors that the use of the increased ratio does not have a detrimental impact upon the individual needs of the children within their care. This stipulation can be open to interpretation, and caution needs to be given to the changing needs of children and how ratios should be adapted on a needs-basis at any given time.

Safe eating practice.

The final key revision made within the latest version of the EYFS involves the supervision of children when they are eating. It is stated that children should always be adequately supervised, and when eating they should remain in sight and hearing of an adult.

However, there is no specific guidance on the parameters of what ‘within sight and hearing’ of an adult looks like within actual practice. Furthermore, a child’s age and individual needs can alter what is considered to be safe or not. For example, younger children who are weaning and children with additional needs may require closer supervision when eating. Furthermore, eating is a social activity which provides lots of learning opportunities, guided by adult’s role modelling. There is not a requirement within the latest EYFS stating that practitioners need to sit with children while there are eating, just that they can see and hear them. This could potentially result in a considerable amount of missed learning opportunities for young children.

Within practice, you need to implement the statutory requirement, which is to ensure children remain within sight and hearing of a practitioner while eating. However, from a personal and professional perspective, I feel that it is important that you use your own judgement regarding what ‘adequate supervision’ looks like within your own practice, based upon the individual needs of the children. As a practitioner, you need to feel comfortable and confident in what you do within practice. If you are in a baby/toddler room with several children who are weaning, you may want to sit with them to help and support them while they are eating. Likewise, if you have a child with SEND, it may be more appropriate to sit with them while they are eating to ensure they remain safe and to promote key social skills.

Conclusion

It is important to remember that the EYFS sets the minimum statutory requirements for early years practice. As professionals, you should use your own judgement, based upon your knowledge of individual children. For example, the minimum statutory ratio requirement for children aged two years old is changing from 1:4 to 1:5. Although this may be suitable for some children, it may not meet the needs of all children, particularly if they have an identified SEND, where the 1:4 ratio may be more appropriate. As the revised EYFS comes into practice, you must adhere to all the requirements, but also take time to reflect on your own practice and discuss what works best for you and the children in your care. Although implementing the minimum requirements will ensure you meet the legal obligation, it does not always equate to best practice.

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Reference

DfE. (2023) Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage. Available from: Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage (publishing.service.gov.uk)