The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) became a statutory requirement for all Early Years providers in September 2008. The EYFS is an amalgamation of the former Birth to Three Matters Framework and the Foundation Stage. It covers children from Birth to 5 years.

The EYFS is a play based curriculum framework that requires practitioners to ensure that children have a balanced range of child initiated and adult led activities. Children are viewed as individuals in their own right and planning is based on the needs of the child, drawn from observations by their key person.

The four themes of the EYFS (A Unique Child, Positive Relationships, Enabling Environments and Learning and Development ) stem from the five outcomes of Every Child Matters which are Being Healthy, Staying Safe, Enjoy and Achieve, Make a Positive Contribution and Achieve Economic Well-Being.