The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets out the legal rules that all early education and childcare providers must follow. It explains how they support your child’s learning and development from birth to age 5.
All Ofsted-registered providers who provide care and education for children aged 0 to 5 years must follow the EYFS.
What the EYFS does
The EYFS explains what early education providers must do to:
- keep your child safe
- support their well-being
- help them learn and grow
It helps your child build the skills they need for school and later life.
Your child’s key person
When your child starts with a early education provider, the provider gives them a key person. This person:
- gets to know your child
- plans activities to help them learn
- makes sure their care meets their needs
You can tell the key person what your child enjoys doing at home. They can also suggest things you can try at home.
How the provider checks your child’s progress
Your child’s learning gets checked regularly. There are 2 main reviews:
Progress check at age 2
This happens when your child is between 2 and 3 years old. The provider where your child spends most of their time will do the check.
You will get a short written summary of how your child is doing in 3 key areas of learning.
See Early Years Foundation progress check at age 2
EYFS profile at age 5
This check happens at the end of the EYFS. It’s usually the summer term of the school year when your child turns 5.
The provider checks how your child is doing in 17 areas of learning.
You will get the results. Your child’s Year 1 teacher will also get a copy to help plan their learning.
Language support
Your early education provider must help your child learn English. If your child speaks another language at home, the provider will also help them use and develop that language through play and learning.
If you're worried
Talk to your early education provider about your child’s progress. You can work together to support your child.
Find out more
You can read more about the EYFS on