The majority of nurseries support the EYFS and do not want to see any radical changes to the framework, a survey by the National Day Nurseries Association suggests.
However, nurseries do want the level of paperwork and bureaucracy in the EYFS to be reduced.
The survey also found that nurseries see assessment in the EYFS as critical for early intervention because it helps early years practitioners plan for the next steps in children's development.
The NDNA carried out the small-scale research with a group of 400 of its member nurseries, as part of a consultation process to inform its response to the Government’s review of the EYFS. It found that:
- More than four in five nurseries (83 per cent) believed that the EYFS was effective in supporting children
- There was large support for a single early years framework for all childcare providers to meet the same standards (79 per cent)
- The volume of paperwork that nurseries have to submit to local authorities and for transition for children when they start school was the biggest concern for NDNA members
- Most nurseries felt that the EYFS offered an inclusive approach (79 per cent).
Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of the NDNA (pictured), said, ‘We are receiving clear signals about the positives of the EYFS, and recommend that Government focuses on refining and improving the EYFS rather than introducing radical change.’‘Although this is early research, it does reflect the overall mood of the sector, which is keen to ensure that the success of the EYFS is maintained.'
She added, ‘However, nurseries would also like to explore ways that some of the administration around the framework can be reduced. Most of our members shared that it had been very successful for them, and were keen to continue with it.
'Of course, there are some identified issues, especially around administration and reporting, and the review is also an opportunity to make the EYFS work better for children, families and providers.
'It is vital that the sector has a strong voice and the Government receives the widest possible range of views. We would urge all nurseries to submit their own responses and share their views with NDNA.’
The NDNA is holding consultation events with members to debate the EYFS review on 29 September in Leeds and 30 September in London.
