Early years foundation stage (EYFS): regulatory changes
Applies to England
Read the full outcome
Detail of outcome
This is the government’s response to the consultation on the proposed changes to requirements in the early years foundation stage (EYFS), which ran from 31 May 2023 to 26 July 2023.
This document provides a summary of responses and the government’s response to the consultation.
The Department for Education (DfE) consulted on 25 proposals in total. Taking into account the consultation responses, DfE will proceed with implementing the majority of the proposals in early 2024.
Two proposals will not be implemented. DfE intends to implement 2 other proposals later in 2024. This document shares the reasoning behind the decisions made.
We have also published:
- a report evaluating the reforms made to the EYFS in 2021
- a survey of childcare providers on the proposed changes
Original consultation
Consultation description
The EYFS framework sets the standards early years providers must meet to ensure that children:
- learn
- develop well
- are kept healthy and safe
We’re proposing changes to the EYFS framework to make it more practical for different types of EYFS providers. Our aims are to:
- offer providers more flexibility
- reduce known burdens
- enable practitioners to provide high-quality early education
- make it easier for practitioners to join the workforce and progress their careers
Updates to this page
Published 31 May 2023Last updated 27 October 2023 + show all updates
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Added 'Early years foundation stage (EYFS): regulatory changes – government consultation response'.
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First published.