The EYFS is a framework which sets the standards for learning, development and care of children from birth to five years old. All registered early years providers and schools have to use the EYFS. You can download the revised Early Years Foundation Stage.

Surrey Early Years and Childcare Service can help you to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) in your early years or childcare setting. We will support you at a local level with: 

• templates for planning, observing and documenting individual children's learning 
• an information sheet for parents about the revised EYFS
• guidance on how to complete the progress check at age two
• a sample letter you can send to parents about the progress check at age two
• an audit tool to help you see how you are meeting the revised safeguarding and welfare requirements 
• Way Ahead e-bulletins.

You can also contact your early years sector improvement advisor or home-based childcare advisor for advice and guidance. If you're not sure who this is, call Surrey Early Years and Childcare Service on 01372 833833 or email eycs.admin@surreycc.gov.uk

Templates for planning, observing and documenting individual children's learning

We have developed three templates to help you plan, observe and document the learning and development of individual children in your care. They are called:

• Observation sheet
• Summary and planning sheet
• Progress tracker

You can download these templates and a guidance document below that explains how to use each template and includes examples. The observation sheet and summary and planning sheet are available as an A4 portrait and landscape template. The progress tracker is only available in A4 landscape.

Information sheet for parents about the revised EYFS

To help you explain the revised EYFS to parents, and to keep the information as consistent as possible, we have written an information sheet that you can print out or email to your parents. The sheet explains:

• what the EYFS is
• what the main changes are in the revised version
• what you do with their children in your setting and how that will support their child's development.

This is just a sample, you can change the wording and add your setting's logo to the document if you want to. You can download the information sheet below.

How to complete the progress check at age two - guidance document

This document contain answers to the most frequently asked questions about the progress check at age two including who should do it, when you should do it and how it links with the NHS health check. You can download this guidance document at the bottom of the page.

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Sample letter for parents about the progress check at age two

We have written a letter about the progress check at age two that you can email or post to your parents to tell them about the check. This letter explains what the progress check is and why you are doing it as well as explaining that the progress check is different to the health check that the NHS complete. This is just a sample, you can change the wording and add your setting's logo to the document if you want to. You can download this letter at the bottom of the page.

Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements Audit Tool

The Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements, Section 3 of the revised EYFS, states that: "Providers must take all necessary steps to keep children safe and well. The requirements in this section explain what early years providers must do to: safeguard children; ensure the suitability of adults who have contact with children; promote good health; manage behaviour; and maintain records, policies and procedures."

To see how you are meeting these revised statutory requirements, we have developed an audit tool document that you can use as an ongoing self-assessment tool and as part of your annual review. The audit sets out each of the "musts" from section 3 of the EYFS, with electronic hyperlinks to policy guidance and other useful information to help you to make sure your setting is meeting all the legal requirements.

There is a section for you to record your notes and a summary sheet to collect your actions for each of the separate headings in the document. You can download the audit tool below along with an improvement plan and summary sheet.

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