New EY Stronger Practice Hubs, Early Education partnerships and bonuses for some EY teachers announced
We welcome the most recent steps in delivery of the government’s Best Start in Life strategy, focused on helping to raise the quality of provision
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 Stage. An online launch event showcased what had changed or been added, with key messages from new sections shared by the experts involved in writing the guidance.
As well as updated content throughout, the revised guidance includes new sections on digital pedagogy, sustainability, birth to 2 and Reception and beyond. There has also been a redesign of the website to make the core guidance more accessible, alongside a refreshed and extended online bank of free-to-access resources.
Since its introduction in 2021 Birth to 5 Matters has become a go-to resource across the early years sector in England, used by childminders, nursery and primary schools, private, voluntary and independent settings, as well as by universities and colleges training the next generation of early years practitioners. The new edition is based on a thorough review to ensure it remains up to date and meets the current needs of the early years sector.
With the original version having grown out of close sector consultation, the Bto5M review undertook again to check with the sector to inform and guide the revisions. The process began with a public online survey, followed by detailed work by 23 specialist Working Groups drawn from across the sector to prepare a first draft, a second public online survey to respond to the draft document, and further refinement before arriving at the final text.
Project Lead Nancy Stewart said:
“One of the messages from the first survey was that Birth to 5 Matters is greatly valued and we should avoid unnecessary change. But some changes are timely to reflect new messages arising from research, fresh ideas from practice, and changes in society. We’ve aimed to keep everything that is valued about the first edition, changing the text only where we were clear about why the change was an improvement.
“The new areas cover issues that are coming to the fore today, including how we use digital technology with young children, and how to support children to become advocates for a sustainable future. With new funding for babies in settings plus increased understanding of the critical nature of the first 1000 days, the new focus on working with babies is another important addition.”
Early Education’s Chief Executive, Beatrice Merrick, said:
“As Chair of the Early Years Coalition of 16 sector organisations who worked together to produce this guidance, I’m delighted that we’ve been able to improve and extend this foundational resource for early years educators across England. We hope that everyone in the sector will find this updated version a vital source of supporting in giving every child the best start in life.”
The new guidance is downloadable for free as a PDF from the revamped website, along with further resources. It is also available to order in hard copy.
We welcome the most recent steps in delivery of the government’s Best Start in Life strategy, focused on helping to raise the quality of provision
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