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Early Years Foundation Stage
SkillsActive has been working closely with the Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) on the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) which was introduced in September 2008.
The ethos of Playwork is to facilitate play opportunities that are chosen freely by the child. While the EYFS is a play-based framework, from a playwork perspective there are a number of areas of that are unclear and open to interpretation, and we have been working with the DCSF to clarify these, and significant progress has been made behind the scenes.
We have also released a briefing paper, which we feel will provide clarification of many areas that are of concern to play settings as well as help in the inspection process.
Further Information
Download a EYFS briefing paper released by SkillsActive.
Information about holiday playschemes and the EYFS
Download a factual summary released jointly with Play England
Frequently Asked Questions on play and other EYFS issues
For more information on the EYFS visit the DCSF website.
Play Provision and Ofsted Early Years Foundation Stage Inspections
Ofsted are currently inspecting all settings registered on the Early Years Register, which includes play provision which has children in the Early Years.
Ofsted have released an important factsheet ‘Regulating play-based provision’ which is essential reading for settings. It provides a clarification on many of the key areas of concern raised by play settings.
It is important that play providers do not compromise working to the Playwork Principles and we feel that the Ofsted factsheet will benefit playwork settings and inspectors alike.
If any settings feel they have been unfairly assessed or have come across issues they feel need addressing, they can contact Chris Martin, National Policy Manager - chris.martin@skillsactive.com
