Nursery World - Positive Relationships: Hand it out

How can parents find out more about the EYFS Framework and help their child's learning? The new parents guide to the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework offers a helping hand, says Sue Robb, head of early years, 4Children.

As part of the new guidance materials published to support the revised EYFS, 4Children has this week launched the Parents' Guide to the EYFS Framework.

This non-statutory guidance aims to provide parents with an overview of the EYFS framework and what they can expect from the professionals working with their child. It also highlights ways in which they can support their children's learning and development.

The guidance stems from a recommendation within Dame Clare Tickell's review of the EYFS that parents be given a brief explanation of the framework and the role of early years professionals.

Consultation process

4Children consulted with both practitioners and groups of parents around the country on what each wanted from the guidance.

An overwhelming request from parents was that the guidance be accessible on line. They felt that it was important that they could access the information at times convenient to them and that it was not 'a flyer that they could misplace'.

In response to parents' requests for information about what their child will be learning, the guidance includes a diagram detailing both what and how children will be learning indoors and outside.

The guidance also:

emphasises to parents that the EYFS Framework is a legal document that all providers registered to deliver the EYFS must follow

provides parents with ideas on how they can help to promote their child's learning and development by emphasising the importance of early interaction

stresses the importance of parents maintaining good links with their child's early years setting so that they can be kept informed of their child's progress and how to develop their early learning

gives basic information about the progress check at two years of age and the EYFS Profile.

In response to feedback from practitioners, the publication includes free text boxes for individual settings to include their own unique messages to parents.

The guide, which can be found at www.foundationyears.org.uk/ early-years-foundation-stage-2012/, complements the information on the Parents section of the website, which provides information on: