EYFS 2021 Framework – why Footsteps 2 will follow Development Matters
Summary and key differences of the changes to the new EYFS 2021 framework.
- There are now two sets of non-statutory guidance for the new EYFS framework: Development Matters and Birth to Five Matters.
- The educational programmes for each EYFS area are longer and more in-depth.
- The early learning goals (ELGs) have been changed to make them more specific.
- There is a new focus on early language and extending vocabulary, with more examples on how to develop skills across all 7 EYFS areas, because this improves child development in a broad curriculum.
What are the key differences between Development Matters and Birth to Five Matters?
Development Matters
- Produced by the Government and the DfE to support the EYFS framework.
- More concise – the guidance is about two-thirds of the length of the previous version.
- There are now 3 age bands instead of the 6 in the current DM guidance. They are: Age band 1 = 0 – 36 months, Age band 2 = 36 – 48 months and Age band 3 = 48 – 60 months
- Contains examples of things you can do and how best to support children’s development.
Click here to view the full educational programme for Development Matters.
Birth to Five Matters
- Produced by a coalition of Early Years organisations. The tag line of the document is “guidance by the sector, for the sector”.
- More detailed than the new Development Matters guidance.
- Introduced a concept of ‘Ranges’ which is more similar to the current age bands. View the “Ranges” here.
- Layout in terms of EYFS areas & aspects is almost identical to the current DM guidance.
Click here to view the full educational programme for Birth to Five Matters.
Why Footsteps 2 will follow Development Matters guidance.
In April 2021 we created a survey and asked our Footsteps 2 customers which guidance they preferred. In May 2021 we hosted a webinar which we asked our Footsteps 2 customers if they will be following the new guidance from 1st September 2021. The results of both the survey and webinar poll can be seen below:
Which non-statutory guidance should be included in Footsteps 2?
56% of respondents indicated that they would like Footsteps 2 to follow the Development Matters framework and 32% would like to see Footsteps 2 follow Birth to Five Matters. As a result of our audience’s response, Parenta has decided to follow the Development Matters framework.
%
Development Matters
Will you be following the new guidance from 1st September 2021?
Over 91% of respondents indicated that they will be following the new guidance from September 2021 and just less than 3% indicate that they will not be following the new guidance.
%
Yes
What changes can I expect in Footsteps 2?
Children
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The ‘View Profile’ button has been replaced with a ‘New Observation’ button.
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The ‘underachieving’ and ‘overachieving’ highlighting logic has been removed.
Reports
- The following reports will be updated to work with EYFS 2021: Learning Journey, Next Steps and Wellbeing & Involvement
All other reports will continue to work but will only show historical progress data up to 31/08/21.
Observations
- The EYFS guidance on the ‘Learning’ section & ‘Next Steps’ section of the Observation form has been updated.
- The CoEL guidance on the ‘CoEL’ section of the Observation form has been updated.
- The Positive Relationships & Enabling Environments modal has been replaced with ‘Support Examples’ from the new guidance.
- The Leuven Scales section on the Observation form will no longer be included by default.
- The baseline observation has been reset to allow users to complete a new baseline for each child.
- The EYFS guidance for baseline observations has been updated.
- Upon switchover, any remaining draft observations will become read-only.
- Upon switchover, any remaining observations that are awaiting approval will become read-only.
- The colour scheme of the EYFS areas has been changed to match the guidance document.
- A ‘View Observation’ page has been created to allow users to view observations created on the old guidance.
Assessments
- The 2 Year Check assessment has been updated to remove EYFS aspects and the colour scheme has been changed.
- The EYFS Profile assessment has been temporarily removed whilst we update it. You will still be able to view all of your existing EYFS Profile assessments.
- We have added a new generic Progress Check assessment.
- Upon switchover, any remaining draft assessments will become read-only.
- Upon switchover, any remaining assessments that are awaiting approval will become read-only.
- A ‘View Assessment’ page has been created to allow users to view observations created on the old guidance.