Links to Key Policy Documents

EYFS Review 2011
The Early Years: Foundations for life, health and learning An Independent Report on the Early Years Foundation Stage to HM Government, by Dame Clare Tickell, was published on 30 March 2011.

The review calls for a greater emphasis on working with parents as partners in learning. There needs to be more effective dissemination of good practice, greater consistency and better communication of the EYFS to parents. Practitioners need  access to support and resources.

Download the report  
Press notice from DfE

DfE also published a Report on the evidence used in the review, which gathers together the views collected during the consultation. 

The Early Years Foundation Stage 2007
Since September 2008 all settings offering early years provision have been required to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This provides a single framework for the delivery of integrated care and early education. It replaces Birth to Three Matters, the Foundation Stage and the National Standards for Under 8's Daycare and Childminding. The principle of working in partnership with parents is woven throughout the Statutory Framework, Practice Guidance and Principles into Practice cards. These can all be accessed from the Department for Education's EYFS pages.

A simplified guide to the EYFS and Parents as Partners can be found here

Sure Start Children’s Centres: Practice Guidance 2006
This Practice Guidance includes the section ‘Helping parents to support early learning.’ This summarises good practice in working to involve parents and carers in children’s learning.
Download the practice Guidance

Toolkit for Reaching Priority and Excluded Families 2007
This complements the Children’s Centre Practice Guidance and gives practical advice to children’s centres and local authorities on outreach strategies, and guidance on monitoring effectiveness.
Download the toolkit.

Every Child Matters, Green Paper 2003
The Green Paper set out the vision for integrated children’s services, planned around prevention and the needs of the whole child. It recognised the crucial role of parents, carers and families in improving outcomes for children and the need for services to support parents and families. It set out expectations for all schools and early years services to work in partnership with parents.
Download the green paper.

Every Parent Matters
This document set out the vital role of parents in improving their child’s life chances and educational attainment. It brought together government policy and initiatives to support parents in this.
Read Every Parent matters.