DfE release updated version of the non-statutory Development Matters guidance

The Department for Education has today released an updated version of the non-statutory Development Matters guidance which should be read alongside the revised Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS, 2021) and will be used from September 2021 in early years settings.

The Department for Education states:

"The non statutory curriculum guidance supports the delivery of the revised early years foundation stage statutory framework. It offers a top-level view of how children develop and learn, and guides, but does not replace, professional judgement. The guidance can be used by schools participating in the EYFS reforms early adopter year to support changing their curriculum and practice.

"Those who are not early adopters may find some elements of this guidance useful, but they will still need to follow the existing EYFS framework until statutory roll out of the reforms in September 2021."

Practitioners should note the change of focus of the Development Matters guidance from a document to support assessment to a curriculum guide, to be used alongside provider's understanding of how young children learn and progress through the early years.

Childcare.co.uk have raised a number of concerns with the Department for Education about the changes to the Early Years Foundation Stage (2021) and will continue to challenge where appropriate.

We will also support providers as they prepare for the revised curriculum next year, including providing a series of webinars throughout 2021 and releasing more written guidance to help everyone get to grips with the changes.

You will find a copy of the revised EYFS 2021 and the updated Development Matters non-statutory guidance at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-adopter-schools-eyfs-framework.