3 prime areas
- Communication and language
- Personal, social and emotional development
- Physical development
Kitewren / Practitioner guidance
EYFS statutory framework: a quick reference
Use this page to orient weekly planning conversations. It separates statutory framework points from non-statutory supporting guidance and Kitewren’s independent reference.
This is an independent quick reference. Read the EYFS statutory frameworks for childminders and group and school-based providers for the applicable statutory detail.
Framework structure
Seven areas of learning and development
The EYFS areas are grouped into three prime areas and four specific areas.
4 specific areas
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the world
- Expressive arts and design
EYFS Profile: The EYFS Profile contains 17 early learning goals across the seven areas of learning.
Planning and assessment
Points to carry into weekly planning
These points keep the statutory framework visible while leaving curriculum decisions with each provider and setting.
- 01
The EYFS statutory framework is mandatory for childminders and group and school-based early years and childcare providers in England. Source: EYFS statutory frameworks for childminders and group and school-based providers.
- 02
Providers develop a curriculum that reflects their unique circumstances as they deliver the EYFS statutory framework. Source: EYFS statutory frameworks for childminders and group and school-based providers.
- 03
Planning is informed by observations of children and their development. Source: EYFS statutory frameworks for childminders and group and school-based providers.
- 04
Everyday observations of children’s learning and interactions support both formative and summative assessment. Source: EYFS statutory frameworks for childminders and group and school-based providers.
- 05
The progress check at age 2 is a statutory requirement, and alternative formats beyond the template example are permitted. Source: EYFS statutory frameworks for childminders and group and school-based providers.
Read the sources
Source notes
The categories below are deliberately kept separate: statutory requirements are not the same as non-statutory practice support, and this Kitewren page is an independent reference rather than an official publication.
Statutory framework: EYFS statutory frameworks for childminders and group and school-based providers. The statutory source for the framework points and seven-area structure summarised here.
Non-statutory supporting guidance: Development Matters. Department for Education non-statutory supporting guidance for early-years practice.
Non-statutory supporting guidance: Birth to 5 Matters. Early Years Coalition non-statutory supporting guidance.
Kitewren independent reference: Kitewren independent EYFS reference. Kitewren’s independent mapping points to named sections in two supporting guides; it does not replace the applicable statutory framework or professional judgement.