Practitioners want play and characteristics of effective learning in alternative EYFS guidance

More than 1,600 early years professionals responded to the survey by the Early Years Coalition (EYC), a group of 15early years sector organisations, aimed at establishing what practitioners want from non-statutory guidance following criticism of the revised Development Matters document published by the Department of Education in September.

The vast majority of respondents want to see play (92 per cent) and CoEL (89 per cent) included in the alternative guidance, to be known as ‘Birth to 5 Matters – early years guidance by the sector, for the sector’. There was also a lot of support for Prime and Specific Areas of Learning and Development  (79 per cent) and identifying possible developmental delay (78 per cent).

Almost three quarters (73 per cent) of respondents believe that the guidance should be structured under the EYFS Themes and Principles, like the Commitments cards that accompanied the 2008 EYFS.     

An area of contention was whether the current age and stage bands should be retained. While 45 per cent said that they should, 40 per cent disagreed and 15 per cent did not know. Of those who answered ‘no’ 62 per cent suggested that there should be bands but with no ages.