Monitoring the Quality of Education in EYFS - Introduction

The publication serves as a comprehensive guide for school leaders, particularly headteachers and principals of primary and infant schools, on monitoring the quality of education in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Developed by Focus Education, this resource is also valuable for leaders of early years to review and ensure the coverage and sequence of learning in nursery and reception classes. The content is organized according to the three prime areas and four specific areas outlined in the EYFS framework. Each section provides a detailed focus on both 3 and 4-year-olds (nursery age) and reception-aged children, including tables that break down the learning as specified in Development Matters and propose a sequence of learning steps, concluding with expected outcomes or early learning goals.

With an emphasis on practical application, the publication includes examples of how to support learning objectives, such as understanding the world through geography for reception-aged children. It suggests discussing community roles and engaging children with their own experiences, accompanied by key vocabulary to enhance learning. The guide clarifies that while the methodology of EYFS learning may vary across schools, the essential aspect is coverage of the content, ensuring children make progress through the proposed learning sequences. It acknowledges that monitoring EYFS education is complex and not always 'neat and tidy', necessitating a clear understanding of expectations, which the publication aims to provide. The guide concludes each Development Area with a summary of key points to observe, also included in the Monitoring Guide for easy reference.