Updated: Guidance on exemptions for individual children

[FSFRebecca]

The new guidance has been released today:

Introduction

"The early years foundation stage (EYFS) is a statutory framework that sets the standards that all early years providers must meet to ensure that children from birth to age five develop well and are kept healthy and safe. This framework was extensively consulted on and reviewed in 2010. The current 2017 framework focusses on what matters for a young child’s personal development. The framework is flexible enough to accommodate a range of good early years practice. However, there may be instances where a family is religious or philosophical convictions cannot be reconciled with one or more of the learning and development requirements of the EYFS. For these cases, there is a process available that enables early years providers to consider modifying or exempting one or more learning and development requirements for a child where their family requests this. This guidance explains how the process works and outlines the circumstances that must be met before providers can (if they choose) grant exemptions in respect of particular children."

You can download the whole document from here:

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Learning and Development Requirements: Guidance on exemptions for individual children

[AnonyMouse_5970]

Just had a quick look but I'm not sure I understand what sort of exemptions would need such a formal process. Dietary requirements aren't dealt with like this; families who don't take part in particular festivals or celebrations are managed through our inclusion policy. Or am I missing the point?

[AnonyMouse_73]

Mostly it has been the Steiner nurseries in our part of the world and a couple of odd requests we've had over the years but in the main most things related to philosophical or religious views can still be accommodated within the EYFS without the need for exemption . I've had quick look at the new guidance but can't immediately see huge changes but will no doubt have to look more closely over the summer.

[AnonyMouse_3307]

I think they've just reissued it - it is about the statutory aspects of the EYFS framework i.e. the educational programmes and ELGS which all children must be given or assessed against. We have an exemption for our Steiner school which exempts them from the literacy and technology aspects of the framework because of their approach to these elements in their curriculum so they do not submit for EYFSP as you canot submit a partial data set to the DfE. It's not about parental choices per se.

Cx