New edition of Birth to 5 Matters launched
The Early Years Coalition has launched the updated and expanded second edition of Birth to 5 Matters (Bto5M), non-statutory guidance for the Early Years Foundation
An online survey has been launched to hear responses from across the early years sector to a draft of the revised Birth to 5 Matters – Guidance by the sector, for the sector (Bto5M).
“We want to know if we’re on track to produce guidance that will meet the needs of the sector today,” said Nancy Stewart who is leading the Bto5M Review on behalf of the Early Years Coalition.
“It’s taken 122 experts coming together into 23 Working Groups to go through the existing guidance with a fine-tooth comb. In the new draft we’ve taken into account the feedback from our initial survey in November, as well as up-to-date research. We heard clearly from the first survey that Bto5M is highly valued and we shouldn’t change it too much, so we’ve been careful to make changes only where there is evidence that the revision is an improvement.”
Some revisions have been made in all sections of the guidance, to fill in gaps or to update or clarify the content. New sections have also been added, covering sustainability, digital pedagogy, and how pedagogy responds across the age range to meet the needs of babies and toddlers, 2-year-olds, 3- to 4-year-olds, and children in Reception and beyond.
The survey, which will run until 20 April, asks how well the draft maintains continuity with the original guidance, whether it is improved, and whether the new sections are both accessible and useful. Sector views are also sought on how the Ranges and age links are presented, as well as the use of summative best-fit assessments to show children’s progress.
“There are straightforward multiple-choice questions, but throughout the survey options to make a comment will help to capture anything someone wants to tell us,” Nancy Stewart said.
Following the survey, the Bto5M team will be developing the final version while also organising additional online supportive resources and revamping the website. The second edition of Birth to 5 Matters will be launched in summer 2026.
You can access the documents via the following links:
NOTES
The Early Years Coalition came together in 2020 to produce Bto5M non-statutory guidance to support practitioners with implementing the EYFS as revised in 2021. The guidance was published on 31 March 2021.
EYC members are established Early Years sector organisations which represent the interests of those working and studying in the Early Years. The EYC was established and is led by Early Education (the British Association for Early Childhood Education).
Members of the Early Years Coalition are:
Affiliated organisations include the National Education Union (NEU) and the National Children’s Bureau (NCB).
The Coalition gratefully acknowledges the financial support of all the organisations within the coalition who have committed funding to the review: The Froebel Trust, the National Education Union, Montessori Global, Steiner Waldorf, the Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network, TACTYC and our sponsors TTS, VTCT, Famly, Tapestry and Youth Music for offering additional funding and support.
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