The Early Years Foundation Stage Reassuring and supporting the early years workforce to address fears around change Andrea Richardson Leeds Early Years Service 2008

Overview Understanding EYFS as an integrated framework Fears and emerging worries

Setting the context Leeds large metropolitan authority 230 primary schools – 140 with nursery classes 26 LA maintained Children Centres - currently 80 private nurseries in receipt of NEG 70 Voluntary Pre-schools in receipt of NEG 1000 childminders Total of 5000 practitioners working in the EYFS

EYFS used in Leeds to…. Communicate quality - create a universal concept of characteristics of high quality EY provision Confirm similarities and highlight differences Identify the single framework – QI to be driven through the system, develop coherent training across the authority draws everything together to be ultimately monitored through SEF + Ofsted Supporting the workforce to rise to the quality challenge- CPD for staff, EYP leading practice, increased consistency across sectors

But also… Considering what recent research indicates about the way children learn- brain development, differences between boys and girls Focusing on the observation, assessment and planning cycle leading to more personalised learning for children

The Leeds offer.. Phase 1 Whole staff training in group & school settings Full day training for childminders on Saturdays Phase 2 individual practitioners Full day or 2 x half-days at various times and locations

Some tensions… Not another framework! Timescales -Sept 2008 Embedding it into existing practices- what needs to change The scope and scale of the job –capacity Leaders briefings Reaching out of school providers Whole day closure

Challenges to Children’s Centres Shared understanding of the role of the key person Improved transitions to reception class Implementation of documentation across both settings