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All you need to know about the new EYFS Framework 2021.

From September the EYFS is changing. See what this means for your nursery, the options you have available, and what Blossom will be offering to support you.

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As you all know, from September we have a new EYFS Statutory Framework, which has a number of very significant changes from what we are all used to.

In particular, there is a big shift away from meeting standardised criteria. At Blossom, we are big fans of this! Children are dynamic and learn in different ways at different rates, shifting this focus is a great move towards a better way of supporting children’s growth and development.

CHAPTERS

What you’ll find on this page

  • 1

    Introduction to the new guidance.

  • 2

    How to prepare for the changes.

  • 3

    What will change in Blossom?

  • 4

    How will the frameworks work on Blossom?

  • 5

    Resources and additional help.

Introduction to the new guidance

What are the new frameworks?

Two new frameworks are being introduced; Development Matters 2021 and Birth to 5 Matters. Development Matters is non-statutory government guidance, developed by Dr Julian Grenier as well as a range of other early years professionals. The framework uses broad age bands, recognising that children’s development is not strictly regimented. Monitoring and assessing are much more relaxed with far fewer development statements, putting a focus on professional judgement.

Birth to 5 Matters (or Birth to Five Matters) was created by sector experts and the Early Years Coalition. It maintains support for less experienced practitioners, keeping more of the EYFS 2012 development statements. This more rigid structure still cuts down on staff workload, recommending each child recieves 3 assessments each year.

While the two frameworks appear to be similar, when you look closer there are a few key differences. Check out the table below for an in-depth look into Birth to Five Matters and Development Matters 2021.

What does the new guidance focus on?

In summary, it’s all about spending more time with the children.

Documents
Child playing

How to prepare for the changes

So - what does this mean for me, and what do I do?

In a nutshell, you have more freedom to choose how you deliver the new EYFS Framework 2021 come September. Here are some tips to help you along the way:

The new Birth to 5 Matters framework is most similar to the out-going Development Matters framework. Hence, it would provide the easiest transition and require the least training. However, Birth to Five Matters 2021 does not enable you to link children’s progress to statements as you would have done previously. Instead, practitioners can only make observation links to areas of learning.

What will change in Blossom?

What frameworks will we be supporting?

We are adding the following frameworks to the system:

Development Matters 2021

This is the updated version of the framework with which you will all be familiar. It’s now quite different; although there are the same 7 areas of learning, there are now no aspects. You will see that there are now far fewer statements, and there are broader age bands.

Development Matters 2021:
Observation Checkpoints

This framework provides guidance to help practitioners understand where children are, and to spot signs of developmental delay. It only focuses on PSED, C&L, and PD. This framework still has statements, but even fewer than Development Matters 2021. The age bands are still there. This is for internal use only and information is not shared with parents.

Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning

This is part of the new EYFS Development Matters 2021 guidance. This has the 3 original areas: Playing and Exploring, Active Learning Creating, and Thinking Critically (with some updated wording).

Birth to 5 Matters and the updated Characteristics of Effective Learning

This is a new framework, which is very similar to the current Development Matters with which we are familiar. It has the same 7 areas of learning and it retains the aspects (with a couple reworded). It doesn’t have age bands, but it does have six ‘ranges.’ The Characteristics of Effective Learning are almost identical to the CoEL.

Our Montessori framework with links to Development Matters 2021

Our Montessori framework with links to Development Matters 2021

The Old EYFS

We are also keeping the current EYFS, which will now be called ‘EYFS 2012.’ This means that if you are taking a transitory approach, you will be able to continue to use the ‘old’ Development Matters framework.

Development Matters 2021

This is the updated version of the framework with which you will all be familiar. It’s now quite different; although there are the same 7 areas of learning, there are now no aspects. You will see that there are now far fewer statements, and there are broader age bands.

Development Matters 2021:
Observation Checkpoints

This framework provides guidance to help practitioners understand where children are, and to spot signs of developmental delay. It only focuses on PSED, C&L, and PD. This framework still has statements, but even fewer than Development Matters 2021. The age bands are still there. This is for internal use only and information is not shared with parents.

Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning

This is part of the new EYFS Development Matters 2021 guidance. This has the 3 original areas: Playing and Exploring, Active Learning Creating, and Thinking Critically (with some updated wording).

Birth to 5 Matters and the updated Characteristics of Effective Learning

This is a new framework, which is very similar to the current Development Matters with which we are familiar. It has the same 7 areas of learning and it retains the aspects (with a couple reworded). It doesn’t have age bands, but it does have six ‘ranges.’ The Characteristics of Effective Learning are almost identical to the CoEL.

Our Montessori framework with links to Development Matters 2021

We have updated our Montessori framework which now includes links to Development Matters 2021.

The Old EYFS

We are also keeping the current EYFS, which will now be called ‘EYFS 2012.’ This means that if you are taking a transitory approach, you will be able to continue to use the ‘old’ Development Matters framework.

Here’s a summary of what’s now on offer:
  • Development Matters 2021 Guidance
  • Development Matters 2021
  • Development Matters Observation Checkpoints
  • Characteristics of Effective Teaching & Learning
  • Birth to 5 Guidance
  • Birth to 5 Matters
  • Characteristics of Effective Learning

How will each of the frameworks work on Blossom?

Development Matters

If you have opted to use the Development Matters framework in your nursery then this is how it will work on Blossom:

Birth to 5 Matters

When making Observations you will not be able to link to the individual statements. Instead you will be able to link to Areas of Learning.

You will not be able to use your professional judgement to mark progress against any statements in the Birth to 5 Matters. This means that the framework page will be available only as a reference point.

Montessoris will not have any suggested links to the Birth to 5 Matters framework.

Blossom software: Observation Links Birth to 5 iPad
Blossom software: Birth to 5 iPad

The observation tracker will now only be based on links to areas of learning.

Statements will not appear in the formative reports and you will now be able to select what range a child is in rather than age bands. You will still be able to select if a child is emerging, expected or exceeding – however, this is optional.

Although cohort tracking is not compulsory, we understand that some nurseries will continue to track progress. Blossom’s cohort tracking has always been based on practitioners’ judgement which is very much in line with the changes from September. Therefore there are no changes here.

Blossom software: Formative Report

Our Development Roadmap

EYFS 2021

Today...

Version 1

Mid August 2021

Releasing all the new EYFS frameworks to give your nursery time to transition.

Version 2

Late 2021

Additional settings to hide frameworks you don’t want to use.

Version 3

And Beyond...

Working collaboratively with our customers to make improvements.

Resources and Additional Support

Useful Links

To read more guidance and advice about the upcoming changes, we recommend the sites below:

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