Nursery World - ‘Change does not have to happen instantly’

Donna Gaywood, project coordinator, Birth to 5 Matters

Implementing best practice requires clarity of thought and purpose, says Donna Gaywood as she reflects on the best ways to implement the new EYFS framework.

Donna Gaywood: 'Practitioners are on a journey'.

The revision of the EYFS and then the publication of two non-statutory guidance documents: Development Matters 2021 and Birth to 5 Matters might feel overwhelming for early years practitioners who are still trying to get to grips with the loosening of restrictions in the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, the option of two quite different non-statutory guidance, gives practitioners, teams, and settings a choice. They can choose to use one, the other, a mixture of both or neither.

Being asked to make a choice is actually very positive for the sector. We hear a lot about practitioners being asked to use their ‘professional judgement’ and now there is an ideal opportunity to do just that. Considering all these changes, early educators can use this autumn term to pause, think and reflect about their practice, what they believe and what they are ultimately trying to accomplish.

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